"Whiskey is for drinking; water is for fighting over."

I believe that water is the only drink for a wise man. ~Henry David Thoreau

Filthy water cannot be washed. ~African Proverb

"Throughout the history of literature, the guy who poisons the well has been the worst of all villains..." -ANON

"Water is a very good servant, but it is a cruel master."
C.G.D. Roberts, "Adrift in America", 1891

"You could not step twice into the same rivers; for other waters are ever flowing on to you."
Heraclitus of Ephesus

"When you drink the water, remember the spring"
Chinese Proverb

"When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water"
Benjamin Franklin

"The stone in the water knows nothing of the hill which lies parched in the sun."
African Proverb

My thanks to Samuel Clemens for the title quote, thanks again Mr. Twain.

The above falls was built from Colorado fieldstone, the falls in the photo is about 18inches high, and running about 1700 gallons per hour regarding the rate of flow.

Landscape Conceptual

Having fun with a rendering
I just realized as I get older my definition of having fun sure has changed. After a day of fooling around with this design I decided to take a couple of shots with the layers piled on top of each other. Woo! hoo! having fun now . . . .

Beneath the colored rendering is a pencil sketch rendering, and below that is th original photo of the entry which I print out in black and white. The black and white image is better for me to read in the sense that the lines are easier to read.

Between you and me I'm not really sure I like this design, I never was one for just having some fountain floating by it's lonesome, these clients seemed pretty adamant about having one however, and trying to find a good spot for it has been driving me crazy.

More on this job, and drawings this week, though the closer we get to the Ohio State ////M*ch*gan game (Columbus has gone crazy), the more difficult it will be to concentrate on such mundane matters as this Blog.

Backyard Patio story continues.

Single water falls, and tan sandstone walkways
More on the previous post. This was the 1st plan view color drawing that was shown to clients. Take notice that in this conceptual drawing there is only one waterfall, and the walkway is tan in color. the homeowners looked at this drawing and were very impressed.

I then remember them . . . starting to study the drawing and going over ever detail. It was decided pretty quickly they didn't want brown sandstone for the walkway-they were positive about this.

2nd they were very concerned that the one falls would not make enough noise to screen out the eat of the neighborhood noise, and would only one waterfall be loud enough to hear in the kitchen, and breakfast nook.

Normally, I would just show them a different color of stone (actual stone piece), and take some overlay paper and draw the other falls in the hillside. That wasn't going to work here, they wanted to see another drawing (specifically the wife).

So, I called the contractor and said I had to do another drawing for the homeowners, for x amount of hours to do the work (which he hadn't agree to pay me for). He asked me if they were excited about the conceptuals and were they close to jumping in?

I said; heck yeah, they're ready! . . . .

So the previously posted drawing is what they looked at, and of course they jumped in, over original budget request . . . because it was everything they wanted, in a logical layout, and the best parts could be enjoyed/viewed from inside the house.

Color rendering of pond and fire ring
Along with the plan view rendering, I showed the clients this conceptual rendering of how this area would relate to the new kitchen addition.

The addition is shown only in black line. I was trying to present the landscaping to add to the backyard, which is why my stuff is in color. We needed to excite them about tha landscaping, Heck they had already agreed to add the kitchen-no need to promote that.

I did; however, have to show how the new landscape would relate and enhance the new space. This rendering does a much better job than anything I could have done on a plan view drawing.

This drawing was the deal-clincher for this side of the backyard. I basically laid this on the table and it was over. Let's go, let's put it in, we can't wait . . . those were the comments.

I've said this before, and will say it some more (hey, I'm a poet!), if you design hardscapes, structure, level transitions, etc . . . you must render. This is the only way to really communicate what you are trying to achieve to the client.

Has for this drawing, I'll have more on my evolution as a designer . . . tomorrow.

An Appreciation of Stone 11

Waterfall in Winter

This waterfall shot was taken right after completion and the weather had just turned
 real cold, real cold. The falling water, the snow and ice. Gotta love it. 

An Appreciation of Stone 9

Stones and Water

 
Yes I seem a little prejudice when it comes to stone and water. I will always feel that the most powerful element added to any designed space is water because it works on so many levels, but the element that adds a sense of permanence, and definition is stone. After all . . . look at the pyramids, they're still hanging in there.

So . . .  put these two together and you get the best of the most important elements to create a truly dynamic element/space in the garden. 4 seasons of movement, sound, light, reflection, life, and tranquility.

My goal in building any water feature like this is to attempt to leave the observer feeling as though they are looking at something that has naturally occured as opposed to man-made. If you can just sell that illusion for a little bit you have succeeded as a designer/bulder.

More on Yesterdays Post

The Circle in Winter

 
I've often talked about how much I appreciate the way water looks in the wintertime and how the liquid flow of the water cuts through the clean white snow.

Before I had designed my 1st firepit in this style I did spend some time contemplating how this would look in the winter- after all it's where we live, we have to deal with the snow, and should appreciate the change of the season. Unfortunately that is something that a lot of Landscape Designers fail to do, and that's too bad because in most of the country(World) we have 4 distinct seasons and all  4 seasons should be planned for. Besides . . . Fred would have done the same thing.

An aside; I had not contemplated the owner adding a bowl to the center of the firepit. She added this brass bowl to burn small fires in. Does it take away from the natural feel of the space-maybe. However you look at it,any Designer should remember we work for the client. Our job is to work with them, using our knowledge,  the cultural concerns of the site, and the clients wishes, dreams, desires for their landscape.

And celebrate all that nature has to offer us.

Color Renderings and Plan View Conceptual

Plan view of the Pond


This shows the lagoon-pond area in plan view. The backdrop of the conifers, and some of the surrounding plant material, including the aquatics that flow from the pond out on the edges of the banks of the pond.

The drawing also shows the relationship of this area to the actual entryway, and the space involved for the area to flow together. The hillside for the falls will have to be made and the the backdrop of conifers will be added to sell the illusion of a natural waterfall.


Rendering of Entry and Pond


This is the follow-up to the September 5th entry on the Blog. This is part of a larger drawing that will be shown to the clients to give them an idea of the entire picture for the possibilities on what the entrance could be.

The big difference in this drawing is to show a larger number of conifers for the backdrop. This was a specific client request after seeing the initial concept drawings for the entry.

An Appreciation of Stone 7

Stone, Water and Winter

 
This is more than an image of stone this week but it combines that stone with water to show my favorite part of nature-stone and water.

Plus I have always loved the look of open, running water during the winter. Going all the way back to the days of the small creek that ran through my backyard. The water babbling on down through the watercourse, the ice forming at the edges, and the banks covered in clean white snow.

The Design Process, another example

The Before Shot

This before image shows the area of focus for the conceptuals. The client is looking for some sort of dramatic water feature into the sub-division and golf course. In order to make that happen we are going to have to build something between 8 and 12 foot high. Then in order to sell the illusion of the falls we will need to add a dynamic and beleivable backdrop. Piece of Cake ?!?

The Warm-up sketch, Initial thoughts, or Day-dreaming.

This is an example of a warm up drawing for me. Before doing any overlays. Since I was doing stone and water I better warm up with . . . stone and water. Plus start gearing my thought towards a strong backdrop.

The Concept sketch on a copy of photo (direct).

Normally I lay down some tracing paper and start looking at possibilities, but I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do in this area and started drawing away. The key here is to try and make the ratios look right, and to not mess up proportions of what I am after.

Especially the relationship of the falls and the lagoon, or pond. Remember the goal here is to wet the appetite of the client by showing them the potential of what there site has to offer based on 3 things.

1. Their request for what they need, and or want.
   
2. The site itself, what will it allow or not allow-what it is capable of.
3. The Designers talents, skill level, knowledge.

The Color Rendering

This color rendering is good enough to show to the client to give them an idea of how things will lay out. The black and white will also be part of the discussion. This is fine for the 2nd meeting when all these possibilites are discussed in a more informal way.

If there is to be a 3rd meeting with some other higher-ups the drawings will all be in color and more refined. There will also be a plan view drawing showing how this relates to the actual entry drive. Speaking of that drive-more on that tomorrow.

The Total Waterfeature

This is a shot that shows the upper falls the upper pond and the series of falls that I talked about yesterday and the day before.

Are there things I would do different if I built it now??? You bet. As I see it if you are not constantly evaluating and critiquing your work-then you will never get better. No matter how happy the client is.

More on "The Falls'

This is a continuation of yesterdays post. This set of little falls is a little further along the waterfeatures path.

The one thing I would like to point out here is notice how the 1st falls, falls directly into a pool of water and the second falls lands directly onto a splash stone. These two distinctly different sounds play off of each other a create a water harmony for the listener. Its what I like to call an indiscernable rhythm that always has interest for the observer.

This view is from the bottom of the stream. The stream falls off into a 110 gallon tub that is buried from view. The pump in the container sends the water up above the falls that was posted yesterday.

A few tidbits: The stone is a West Virginia toprock that has a lot of interesting color. You might also notice the mulch is pine straw which means I installed this job in the South, South Carolina to be exact.

It is almost 100% in the shade, which means almost zero algae problems, it also means very few option on blooming aquatic plants-but it is supposed to be a woodland stream so I think it worked out okay.

The Falls

Can you build it?

The Edge

 

Waterfeature: Rick Anderson style

 
This is an overview of a 2nd year pond I installed for a Garden Center. Lots going on, I think it looks pretty good. The waterfall and stream enter in from the left. The pond is about 30x16 in dimension.
 
Koi, the key is great filtration, and to not have overload-in other words too many fish to overload the system. This is a delicate balancing situation. Unfortunately most folks think the more fish the better. I would actually like to see homeowners add more Shibukunki, Fantails, and Comets instead of the more demanding Koi. Especially those who aren't that enthusiastic about being hands-on with their waterfeature.
 
Easily my favorite Aquatic plant, the Lotus but it must be held in check or it will easily get out of control-easily. Not only is the flower spectacular but the foliage is great also. On top of that after the flower leaves the seed head left behind is an intriguing focal point. 

More on the Waterfall

 
This is a view looking back down at the angle from where I shot Saturday's post shot, and talked about this project. I wasn't kidding this is a difficult site to work in/with.
 
Back; almost, to the original photo. You can see there are some windows on the right for the interior portion of the spa. The outdoor area is a therapy type deal where folks are supposed to be submerged up to their neck.

Looking at where they want this waterfall and how they want it, I am for sure up to my neck.

I was out in the field all day going over projects or looking at projects. Lots to design and re-design this week and we will be talking about all of it right here.

Including an update on the terrace and steps I had been showing here last week. Let me say it didn't/isn't/hasn't went the way I thought it would go . . . . . . so far. Especially when it comes to step placement. 

More on Yesterday's Waterfeature

 
The inflatable soccer ball is a nice touch-don't you think??? As you can see the aquatics are pretty much having their way and the water clarity looks pretty good-but the soccer ball . . .
 
Here in the stream you can see where the grass is growing, this would drive most suburbanites absolutely crazy, just crazy. Not here though, they love it-I think.

So all kinds of stuff is going on-it's wild, it's wet, it's . . . you decide.

By the way, if you click on 'em they get bigger. 

The Principles of Landscape Design: TIME

The above image was taken on Monday by me. I had a chance to go through this neighborhood and inspect a job we had going in nearby. While there I decided to look in on a few others. I was most curious about this one. I was curious about how neglect and the influence of time had affected what I had installed almost 4 years earlier.

The story:I knew the plant contractor who installed the material away from the pond and falls was also going to maintain the project for a year. He had asked me to come in and build the waterfeature on this one-I obliged. What did this mean? I knew he might not be there for the long haul because maintenance was not his focus-installation was. I had no idea what would happen from there.

I also had heard the pond was "for play"-- to be something for the kids to play in and through. This is almost always bad in a closed system-the number of ways to screw the thing up are endless. It's not like the creek running through my backyard when I was a kid . . . . this is artificial-it needs man's hands to keep it running. I immediately declined any type of contract to maintain, and I specifically mentioned that the 1st time "Junior" ran through the pond with toys the liner warranty was no longer in effect. Well, just what does all of this mean?

It means I tried to design and build accordingly. To use large/heavy stone at transition points and to anchor and wedge them in place. For the stream and waterside plantings, I tried to use stuff that was tough, adaptable, hardy, and would tolerate neglect. It was to become the survival of the fittest. It was to become a war zone.

Here we are 3+ years after the fact. What do you think? Tomorrow I'll add a shot from another angle and throw in a shot of the pond-which has been neglected and abused -- especially the edges.


Year 1 The image below (Photo 2) was taken during the middle of the 1st year growth in plant material at this series of streams and waterfalls I built. The plant maintenance looks okay. It looks like it could be spectacular one day.

Photo 2

16 months These 2 images were taken about a year after Photo 2 and about 2 years before the photo at the top of the post. You can see the way time is working its magic. The growth of the material and its influence on the landscape.



The final thought. This waterfeature is in one of the upscale neighborhoods from a few years back where the property lots were usually an acre plus with 2,3,4 story houses, built back off the street. Everyone has a "lawn service" -- that type of place. I would think if this backyard was anywhere but backed up to an unbuildable area (where they had neighbors looking in) there might be some finger pointing going on. Everything is not perfectly clipped, straight, square or otherwise. On the other hand, different observers may look at this feature in its present state and say "they love it".

"IT" truly is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I like how the groundcovers are\have been, waging a war (it looks like the Houttuynia is winning) to end all wars. Other plants are sneaking in; grass is growing in the stream bed-always a good thing when looking for a naturalistic feel. I like it. Others would call this "too unkempt".

In this analysis-the homeowners are living with it. Someone at the house when I was there said they "loved it". By the way, I'm not sure who that someone was. They enjoy the scene, the space, the sound, the movement. They are living with time's effects.

Time's effects will continue and with no real maintaining of the site, (the aquatics area-pond plants and plants surrounding the aquatic area-everything growing along/in the stream bed). How long will it be until all control is lost? Just how long will it be before time's effects overtake a man-made environment making it no longer enjoyable?

Where do you draw that line? What is the criteria? What exactly is over-run??? vs., say, the "natural look"???

Nature as Teacher (3) Setting Stone

The unusual alignment of the upright stone really appealed to me. This stone added something to the space that I found very compelling. Though the stone is much smaller it adds a strange kind of balance to the space. and also acts on it's own. I guess I am a sucker for upright stones like this-they send a great message or add character to their space.

When it came time to build this set of vertical falls I really wanted to try and add some uprights to the composition. Not only do they hold the left side of the "build" together, the two stones bring "something powerful" to this designed and built waterfeature.

It's been written in a lot of literature about stone pointing-directional and all types of symbolism with the uprights, history abounds with this discussion. well I just really like the look and the way the stone seems to speak for itself-very powerful. Plus I feel good about using the uprights because I have seen the same pattern in the natural World.

In most cases the majority of the stone should be composed with the grain running in the same pattern-to mimic what occurs naturally. Something a lot of professionals seem to forget, not think about, or just plain dis-respect the occurrences in the natural World.

If you really get out and study stone as it occurs you will see the "Contrarian" stones in their natural settings and understand where this type of stone work happens. Big rushing violent water, long drops, cliff bottoms, geological catastrophe, etc.

So break the rules of stone setting-only after you have learned the rules-and most importantly studied the occurrences in the natural World.

Stream, Falls, several years ago

 
Not as happy with this final project-can you guess why???

This was taken about 6 months after completion.

The stone is a West Virginia field stone. 

A Stream for the residential Waterfeature

Stream pictured is in it's 3rd season (early), and is coming along nicely.

I've found the key is to use as little stone as possible-even though I love stone. I am referring here to the "piling" of rock along the stream edge. This is the lazy way out. Rather than looking to berm correctly, develop good plantings, or create good shallow work----"heck let's just pile up some rock".

Stay consistent with plant material-using fewer varieties, in larger groupings.

Create shallow areas, and mini rapids-achieved by "fish-scaling" small flat stone in the creek bottom. This slight overlapping of stone is tough to do to create the rippling effect desired. I have seen a lot of experienced builders never achieve this look. Too much round stone in the creek bottom.

Also all this talk about wanting to remove all algae and go to the pristine look-waterfeature builders do not educate themselves on the proper ecological balancing act and cater to the lowest common denominator; which is . . . Pile in the rock, open streamway, little planting(s), and heavy reliance on "kits" to do the work, along with some bacteria. No real thought on the pond or stream planting-just a by the numbers of a few plants. Also giving in to homeowners on the type and number of fish a pond can handle. Am I ranting??? probably so . . .

I guess I better not even get into the plantings around the pond, or the foreground presentation for the pond-yeeeeesh,now I am about really ready to get started!


Build good waterfeatures-get out and study nature-really study nature . . . wade through a few streams . . .ha!, get your feet wet!