Landscape Design Consulting PC
Outdoor Living | Rye, NY
Owner Testimonial: "I am in the final innings of a large-scale pool and hardscaping project that Sean Walters has shepherded through since the first days of design and regulatory agency approvals. We are working with a very challenging but dramatic topography. Early on, Sean offered many ideas showing us that he loved our property and took great pride in his work. Once we narrowed it down to one concept Sean remained flexible to edits and town-driven forced modifications. This engagement by Sean made the process of seeking approvals from multiple town agencies and boards (while maintaining the integrity of the original vision) far less stressful.
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All too often in large-scale and complex projects, numerous tradespeople operate in silos; this can make communication and efficiencies challenging. Sean takes pride in his work and the process. He was available to address any concerns we had and often drove conference calls and meetings to clear up any issues – often well outside of his architecture and design focus, thus eliminating the silos.
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This was a very complex project and many of the considerations and limitations were well outside of pool design or landscape architecture. Sean repeatedly stepped in to meet our needs in researching an answer or lining up experienced consultants to advise on how to move forward. He thinks of nearly everything and always with a tether to the original design integrity.
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I very much look forward to completing our pool in the coming weeks and know that Sean will remain engaged until he is satisfied that all details have been addressed…all you can ask for." - Tim S.
Above | Angle A: before, during, and after photographic sequence illustrating the dramatic transformation informed by a visionary landscape design. The project is located in a heavily-regulated area and required approvals from the City Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Architectural Review. The process, from inception to completion, took over three years.
Above | Angle A: the pool, and associated features, are centered on the two-story portion of the existing residence; note how the the curved retaining walls express the bay door projection into the landscape while complimenting the arched windows and dormers on the building to form a gestural dialogue across existing and proposed features.
Above | Angle B: photographic sequence illustrating part of the construction process for the engineered retaining walls, pool, and lower patio. The 6' step ladder in the first image affords a sense of scale.....the retaining walls are over 12' tall in some places. The entire area required mechanical rock chipping in order to create a level platform on which to build.
Above | Angle B: the cascading foliage of weeping Japanese Maple trees framing the staircases and the pool serve to express the effect of the waterfall into its surroundings, albeit in another texture. Once mature, and with uplighting, these trees will resemble Tiffany lamps at night. This aesthetic is a perfect example of texture, alignment and repetition.
Above | Angle C: photographic construction sequence mirroring Angle B. Note the 8' step ladder in the first image, and the woven steel matrix that will provide structural support for the engineered retaining walls. The walls are one part of a larger system that includes extensive drainage as evidenced by the drain pipes, filter fabric, and crushed stone.
Above | Angle C: the completed landscape is woven into the hillside and expresses the form and function of the existing residence into the landscape by way of critical alignments, repetition, and careful use of colors, textures, and lighting. The new space appears to have been designed and built at the same time as the house and functions more as an addition.
Above | Angle D: given the height of the retaining walls and challenges associated with formwork for a concrete pour, gunite was selected as the installation method for the stem walls. The area where the workers are standing was once an unusable hillside and illustrates how a thoughtful design can capture more space, thereby adding to the value of a property.