Re: A bit OT but not that much

Nan -

Do you have any further information about the architect, location, etc. of this house? It might help me research information at our local UC Berkeley Environmental Design library.

I am pleased to hear about someone wishing to do this - many of my clients do not seem to understand the importance of design integrity between architecture and landscape. Very often in consults I have promoted some idea based upon the architecture only to be met with furrowed brows and wrinkled noses! I grew up in a neighborhood of Eichler built home and always appreciate the unique landscape opportunities that the design of these homes offered, but most of the homeowners redid the landscapes in boring typical styles and not only looked bad themselves but also made the Eichler architecture look bad as well! Only lately are young families moving into these homes for their architecture and (on rare occasions) and creating appropriate landscapes.

There are a few important principles (broad geometric or amoeboid planting shapes in something evergreen and permanent, occasional dramatic foliage accent, etc.) but the plant selection is also very important (can't easily use those English Garden perennials!). Drama, uniqueness, and texture prevail.

Sounds like a fun project!

Seán O.

At 09:44 PM 7/2/2002, you wrote:
Here's a Q that is a bit off topic ..

I have a friend who is relandscaping a home that is done in 1950s Moderne and wants the landscape to be consistent with the home. She is very influenced by the Case Study houses and has been looking at books of photos of those homes for landscape inspiration. The problem is, those books (and the homes) focus on architecture not landscape so there are glimpses of plants placed austerrely inside and adjacent to the homes but no photos of the general landscapes popular then. It seems to me that they relied heavily on flat planes of grass and slopes covered in ice plant but beyond that, I am at a loss to help her. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to find photos or which landscape designers to research for that era?

Thanks

N
h o r t u l u s   a p t u s     -    'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara            fax (707) 667-1173         sean@support.net
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
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