All posts by Michael O'Connell

Materials Information, Sustainable Landscapes

Green Building Products- Green Fusion Design Center

A good source for ecologically friendly building products is Green Fusion Design Center in San Anselmo. Green Fusion’s mission is, as described on their website: “to promote the understanding and use of green building practices by connecting homeowners, design professionals, builders and the general public with natural, eco-friendly, healthy products and services. The company is committed to the process of inspiring our culture toward conscious lifestyle practices by providing modern goods that blend function, style and sustainability.”

To that end, their showroom provides a variety of home improvement and building products, many of which are highlighted in their products section of the website.

Products include paints, stains, ecologically sustainable wood products, recycled materials, and furnishings.

For More:
AFM Safecoat– Non Toxic Paints and Stains
Anna Sova– organic paints and textiles
Greenhome
Buildinggreen.com
Oikos Green Building Directory


Materials Information

Digital Timers for Light Transformers

We recently made the switch from old fashion analog style timers to digital timers in our lighting transformers. These digital units allow for a lot more scheduling flexibility in setting on and off times, have a security feature for random on/off times, variable scheduling for weekends and other customizations. Even if not used for a lighting transformer these units would be handy for fountain pump or house light that needed a timer.

Available from:
Vista Professional Lighting
Kichler Lighting


Gardens

Gardens of Kyoto- Nijo Castle

Castles do not just grace medieval Europe. The Japanese
Castle was a thriving architectural form in medieval Japan as well.
The most striking example of Japanese castle building is Himeji
Castle a UNESCO world heritage site. Within Kyoto, Nijo Castle is another striking example of Japanese castle construction. From a landscape perspective, the layout of Nijo’s gardens, moats and impressive stone walls create an interesting contrast from the
multitude of temple and shrine gardens in Kyoto.

Nijo’s most striking aspect is the bone of most Japanese gardens, its amazing stone work. Both the boulder arrangements and castle walls are amazing.

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For More:
City of Kyoto Brochure for Nijo Castle (Part 1 & Part 2)
Jgarden.org
profile
Wikipedia article

 

 

Gardens

Gardens of Kyoto- Daisenin

Daisenin is the more enigmatic garden counterpart to the clean lines of Ryoan-ji. Another “Zen Garden” with its dry raked gravel, Daisenin has an intimacy and series of boardwalks that give a serial, sequential feel to its spaces. The piles of gravel in the main garden have the appearance of a hybrid, somewhere between that of Ginkaku-ji perfection and Ryoan-ji gravel and stones.

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For more:
Great Analysis of the Garden from Jgarden.org
Japanese Based Page with good information on the evolution of the  Japanese Garden

 

 

Gardens

Gardens of Kyoto- Ryoan-ji

Ryoan-ji (meaning “The Temple of the Peaceful Dragon”) is the archetypal Japanese rock garden. The small table top rock gardens that have become popular owe their inspiration in part to the 15th century anonymous karesansui masterpiece of Ryoan-ji. The garden has a unique axial configuration, so that, from any fixed point on the ground, one cannot see all of the stones in the garden. It is the ultimate rock garden of contemplation.

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For More:
Profile at JGarden.org
Article from New
Scientist about Ryoan-ji’s appeal
Article about adding elements of Zen Garden design to
garden projects

 

 

Gardens

Gardens of Kyoto- Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion is another of Kyoto’s most famous historical pieces of architecture (in 1994 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is interesting to contrast Ginkaku-ji, with its large Silver Sea of gravel, with the layout and actual pond of the Golden Pavilion.

The Silver Pavilion of Ginkaku-ji was an homage to the more elaborate Golden Pavilion. Historically, however the Silver Pavilion holds significance as an original structure, whereas the Golden Pavilion has been reconstructed after being burned in 1950.

The fusion of architecture and the surrounding landscape in these temples and shrines is amazing. It is interesting how Frank Lloyd
Wright’s methodology of organic architecture parallels the  incorporation of the design and layout of the building to its surroundings in a similar way to these Japanese pieces.

 

For More:
Kinkaku-ji official site
Wikipedia article

 

 

Gardens

Gardens of Japan- Ginkaku-ji

Kyoto the historical capital of Japan (prior to the move of power to Tokyo in the 19th century), is a striking city full of history and captivating gardens. One of the best preserved major cities in Japan (surviving World War II), it features a wealth of shrines, temples and gardens.

The Silver Pavilion, or Ginkaku-ji, is one Kyoto’s most famous temples and houses one of the city’s greatest gardens. The striking piles of raked and formed mounds of gravel and stone are wonders to behold. The Silver Pavilion itself is a rare original example of architecture from its period. Often temples and shrines were burned by feuding Shoguns and many have been reconstructed numerous times.

The entrance to the temple complex features a two story Camellia hedge, precisely clipped and indicative of the meticulous nature of the gardens inside. Once inside the Karesansui forms are like nothing else in the gardens of Kyoto. The craft here is amazing, and the raked gravel takes on an appearance of solid mass that should be impossible.

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For More:
Details from Wikipedia
Jgarden.org index of Japanese Gardens

 

 

General Commentary

Your Landscape Should Have an Owner’s Manual Too

Over the years we have developed a landscape care booklet for our customers to accompany our finished projects. Proper care of newly installed landscapes cannot be under-emphasized. The booklet defines the plant and lawn care, watering procedures and special care requirements of elements installed (like wood fence staining, lighting or fountain pump maintenance).

An important point to remember is that a beautiful garden is an investment of both money and time (the home gardener’s or the paid gardening service). Continued care will be required to make the garden thrive and look its best and protect and enhance the initial installation investment. Over time plants may need to be added or removed, mulch refreshed, perennial plants replaced with age. The underlying systems of the garden must also be maintained and repaired from time to time (drainage, sprinklers, lighting, etc.).

While this requires continued thought and effort, it is part of the charm and captivation of the garden. It is a living entity that like all living things does better with love and care.

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Work in Progress

Recent Project- San Rafael: Before and After

Here are images of a recently completed project in San Rafael. The client
wanted to increase usable living space for this hillside residence. Work
included moving back and replacing the existing brick retaining wall, replacing
existing decking, and installing an outdoor kitchen.

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Before

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After- New Retaining Wall, Lawn and Bluestone
Patio

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Before

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After- Bluestone Capped Retaining Wall, Lawn,
Perimeter Fencing

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Before

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After- Manufactured Stone Veneer Retaining Wall,
Outdoor Kitchen

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Before

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After- Planter Box with Manufactured Stone
Veneer

Online Resources

Great Gardening Advice from Across the Atlantic

Who better to get some good sound gardening tips than from the UK’s Royal Horticulture Society (most famous for the Chelsea Flower Show). The RHS has a great website that gives tips on common gardening activities from lawn mowing to pruning. While these can be specific to Britain, there is a good store of general information as well.

Useful sections include:
Top Pests
Top Diseases
The Plant Selector
Popular Plants
General Advice Section

For more specific information from societies closer to home check:
American Horticulture Society
National Garden Clubs
All America Rose Selections
The Garden Conservancy
National Gardening Association


Design Examples

Design Review Tyrany?

 

San Francisco Chronicle architecture critic Arrol Gellner has a couple of very interesting takes of the state of design review and its increasing restrictiveness and emphasis on conformity. In Marin there are certainly some of the municipalities that are quite restrictive. There seems to be a correlation between the size of the municipality and the level restrictions placed on design. This is something that typically affects landscape projects less than building projects; but design review can get pretty restrictive even for landscapes. This is even more the case if the residence is in a PUD (Planned Urban Development) or HOA (Home Owners Association).

Read the first two parts of Gellner’s Architext column: Design Review Boards Seem to Do More Harm than Good & Playing it Safe at the Cost of Originality

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Art or Eyesore- Would this Rotterdam, Holland Cubic Condo Pass Design Review in the U.S.?

 

Online Resources

Free Viewer for Microsoft Project Files

There are times on large projects where a subcontractor, owner, or other interested party needs to view a Microsoft Project generated schedule, but with no viewer available from Microsoft this can be a problem. While there are 3rd party software applications available, these still cost money after a fixed demo period.

Fortunately, Project Viewer Central, has a free online viewer, that can allow people to view Project files anywhere (as long as they are smaller than 400kb). This is a good tool to view Project files on computers where project is not installed, or for owners or clients who need to view the information.


Plants, Sustainable Landscapes

A Good Deer Repellent

We got a recommendation for an organic deer repellent for plants from a client recently. Plantskydd, developed in Sweden, is a non-toxic blend of blood meal and vegetable oils. Supposedly the material last 4-6 months after application, although we have not tried it on a project yet. The spray deters deer, rabbits, and elk from eating garden plants or vegetables.

Yet another weapon in the fight to protect plants against deer.


Work in Progress

Progress Images- San Rafael Project II

Here is a follow up to the first
round of images I posted from a current job in San Rafael, as we progress
into the planting phase of work. These images show plantings laid out waiting
client approval. We have this review step so that any changes that need to be
made to the plan can be done before the plants go in the ground.

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Posted by Michael O’Connell at 10:09
AM | Comments
(0)

January 23, 2006

Current Project- San Rafael

Here are some photographs from a project currently under construction in San
Rafael. It features a large serpentine Sonoma Fieldstone retaining wall that
will create a lawn terrace with plantings and trees to be installed along the
street frontage.

Before:
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Online Resources

Greatplantpicks.org

Greatplantpicks.org is an excellent resource for some plants that are good performers for residential landscapes. Based in Washington, their recommendations are geared for the Pacific Northwest, but most of the plants would do well in California too.

The website’s mission is: “Designed to help home gardeners identify unbeatable plants for their Pacific Northwest gardens, you will find well over 300 Great Plant Picks with helpful information and pictures.

The program is targeted at gardeners in the maritime Pacific Northwest. This includes gardens north of Eugene, Oregon; south of Vancouver, British Columbia; and west of the Cascade and Coast mountains.”

The .pdf sheets offer a great and easy rundown of their selections.
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Sample of a plant sheet for one our favorites Carex ‘Ice Dance’


Plants, Sustainable Landscapes

Alternatives to Lawns

The lawn is archetypal to the American landscape, it is one of the elements central to the planning of most residential gardens and commercial landscapes. According to the Sierra Club, Americans spend 8.4 billion a year on their lawns. This reflects how the lawn is one of the most maintenance intensive portions of any landscape- with mowing, watering, fertilization, weed control, aeration and dethatching required to keep a lawn looking its best.

Yet, despite all the maintenance and cost we still love our lawns. Typically lawns are desired for two reasons. Principally, lawns create a wonderful aesthetic. The lush green manicured appearance fits well with a number of design styles. The lawn’s low uniform appearance also creates an illusion of space. And, despite the maintenance requirements, lawn maintenance is a sector of gardening much catered to, with mowers, fertilizers and training (kids mowing lawns on Saturdays growing up). The lawn if properly cared for is often easier to keep look pristine than some lawn alternatives.

Some designers and environmentalists espouse removing the lawn from landscapes, replacing it either with groundcovers that grow in a similar habit to a lawn, general groundcover plants, or with a meadow of taller grasses.

There are a couple of ways of considering alternative lawns. From an environmental standpoint, while using lawn alternatives on a residential scale would have some beneficial effect on water use and fertilizer and pesticide runoff, especially if aggregated on a large scale. However, a residential project here and there is not going to have a large effect. The commercial sector is where lawn alternatives make the most sense. Typically large tracts of lawn in apartment complexes, office parks and other commercial settings serve little functional purpose other than providing a familiar aesthetic. These landscapes also typically incorporate thousands of square feet of lawn, compared to the typical residential lawn of 500-1500 square feet.

So should a homeowner consider lawn alternatives for their residential project? It depends on what the lawn is used for and its place in the design and the environment where the lawn is installed. If the kids play football in the backyard a lawn is hard to beat. But if the lawn is just filling space of a traditional design aesthetic, there are alternatives worth considering. In arid areas, alternatives start to make more sense. The new Wynn Casino in Las Vegas for example, installed synthetic turf instead of traditional lawn.

For more on these alternatives visit the following sites that outline other types of plantings that can take the place of the lawn:

Sierra Club- Alternative Lawns
Clover Alternatives to Lawn Grass
Eartheasy Lawn Alternatives– Includes many groundcovers
Lesslawn.com– The name says it
Organic Lawn Management- From Wikipedia
Alternatives from Oregon State University
Wildflower Alternatives
SynLawn- Synthetic Lawn Alternatives

General Commentary

Fertilizing Lawns

A proper fertilization schedule is important for a thriving green lawn. Fortunately, the good folks at Scotts have good products and information available to guide gardeners through the best types, timing, and techniques for lawn fertilization.

In addition to the articles and product information, they also provide an Annual Fertilization Program Builder, best suited geographically by region. This guide recommends products and the best times to apply them for your particular type of lawn grass.

Also see Scotts general gardening information

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General Commentary

Great Spanish Language Resource

Working in an industry with a large number of Hispanic workers, good Spanish language resources are important tools to communicate effectively. For example, the newer versions of Microsoft Word include a translation feature, which will translate items directly in word into Spanish.

Another great resource is the online dictionary WordReference.com. Often it is difficult to find compound forms of words in standard dictionaries. Word Reference provides translations based on differences in Spanish dialect and compound word forms.

An example would be that a car is coche, but a cable car is teleférico


Plants

Shrub Roses Equal Easier Roses

Sunset had a good article in this months edition on floribunda roses, otherwise referred to as shrub or bush roses.

The article underscored an important point, traditional hybrid tea roses (those with the large long canes and traditional flowers) can be a challenge to grow if afflicted with a number of ailments (aphids, black spot, mildew, rust, deer and others). Shrub roses give the same quality of roses without the work of traditional roses. One of our favorites is Coral Seas, which seems to bloom all year with beautiful and dense blooms.

For more on Rose care visit Ehow.com’s informative articles.
Black Spot
Rust
Aphids

This is a great time for bare root planting, visit Petaluma Rose Company for a great selection of roses

General Commentary

It’s Photography- Art League of Northern California Exposition

Opening this weekend on Saturday evening is the Art League of Northern California’s open photography exposition, “It’s Photography.” This expo was open to entries and one of my photographs will be in the show. From what I have seen so far, there are some very beautiful pieces, so it is definitely worth a visit.

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Visit the show to see the piece entered. This related piece from Barcelona comes from the same set of photographs

General Commentary

Drainage for Residential Properties

This recent round of storms hammering Northern California underscores the importance of having a good drainage system to remove water from your property and keep your yard and house dry. Here are a few important points when considering a residential drainage system.

1- Connect house downspouts to drainage system
The water from your roof can cause the most problems if not properly drained away from the house foundation. Often the need for sump pumps can be eliminated simply by connecting all the downspouts and draining them away from the house.

2- Determine the best type of drain for each application
Surface drains work well in hardscape installations where water can be graded to collect in a point, or in softscape areas where there are fixed points of standing water. French drains work best in areas where there is sheeting or subsurface water, or where there is not a easy location to collect water in a surface drain. A french drain is a burried line of perforated pipe in a gravel field, which collects and transports water.

3- Use the right pipe
Flexible black corrugated pipe is best used in situations with French drains when it is surrounded by gravel drainage field, and when it is covered by protective drainage fabric, or a fabric mesh sock that is placed over the pipe. Corrugated pipe does not work as well for transporting water underground over distances. The corrugations trap silt, sediment and debris which can clog up over time. PVC Drain pipe is a better choice. Its smooth interior helps water flow without backups.

4- Where does the water go?
Drainage usually flows down hill, with common outlets being either day lit through to a curb and gutter, out into a back hillside, or in a gravel dispersion field underground, where it can percolate into the soil. The objective is to get water out of sensitive areas where it will damage the house or accumulate in the landscape.


Gardens

Garden Magazines- Be Careful What You Wish For

We receive several design and garden magazines in the office (Sunset, Pacific Horticulture, Horticulture, Garden Design, Landscape Architecture and Fine Gardening just to name a few) They are great places to get ideas and see what is new and avante garde in terms of plants and hardscape features.

After reading through this month’s Sunset and looking at some of the Beautiful garden samples, a reoccurring thought struck me- the garden I was looking at in the photographs probably only looks this good 15 days out of the year.

This is a good thing to watch for when looking through these  magazines. That beautiful plant in the featured article looks great, but is it evergreen or deciduous? Does it require low or high maintenance? Is it something that deer find to be equivalent to caviar? Often the planting compositions are complex blends of grass, perennials and annual flowers, that look great but require heavy maintenance.

The same can be said for hardscape. It is my experience that expensive, large projects photograph for print publication the best. Before you set your heart on that 1000 square foot travertine patio with vanishing edge pool and outdoor kitchen, take into consideration what it would take to install these type of elements for your project.

A good example was a client who wanted Golden Barrel Cactus, similar to the distinctive garden at the Getty Center, until we priced them out, and found that the cactus alone would exceed their planting budget.

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At several hundred dollars a piece these golden
barrels might break the bank

 

 

General Commentary

Merry Christmas Landscape Architects

I have a Christmas gift request for all our landscape architects friends out there from all the contractors that construct your projects.

Would it be so hard to just include a quick quantity take-off on your plans?

Two clicks and you could give us the square footage of that 5000 square foot lawn with enough organic bezier curves to make Pierre Bézier himself crazy (the inventor of a type of adjustable curves for computer drafting). As a stocking stuffer could I request that detail sheets with your plans proceed in some logical order and be adequately labeled.

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Happy Holidays from O’Connell Landscape!


Client Questions

Dealing with Rain in Landscape Projects

A question we frequently get asked on our projects is how we accommodate rain and our project schedule. Certainly the rain has an effect on the speed and types of work that can be completed. Just because it is raining however, does not mean things come to a standstill. Often there are detail aspects; irrigation, clean-up, and other special features that can be done in lieu of hardscape elements such as retaining walls, stone or concrete surfaces, which can be impacted by the weather.

There are also mitigation measures that can be taken to keep working. Often we construct temporary shelters to continue setting stone masonry, or we cover the site with large sheets of plastic to minimize water absorption in the soil. In the end, sometimes nothing can be done but to work through it and make the best of the weather conditions and get a bit muddy.

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Client Questions

Synthetic Putting Greens Guide

From time to time we receive inquiries from customers about installing synthetic back yard putting greens. These systems have gained popularity in recent years, and advances in product technology means that these surfaces look and feel less like the AstroTurf at the local miniature golf and more like real grass. Synthetic grass is becoming increasingly popular for athletic fields, which saves on maintenance and water costs, while not being destroyed during the wet season.

The synthetic turf is installed much the same way that a paver patio is installed. A compacted gravel sub-base is prepared, followed by a layer of sand and then the installation of the synthetic turf which is rolled out in sections, seamed together, secured and cut. The cost for the material varies, but is typically around $5 per square foot. Because the process is similar to paver installation, the cost is also analogous.

There are different types of turf available (polypropylene, polyephelyne, nylon), each best suited to different applications. Nylon tends to be best for putting, while polypropylene works better for receiving longer golf shots.

There are a wide variety of products and companies available, including:

SynLawn Golf
Southwest Greens
Golfscaper
Players Turf