Consolacion Residence- An overview

My project this semester in Site Design II at George Washington University's Landscape Design Masters Program was to create a design for a residential landscape in Fairfax, VA.  The design was to include a Concept Plan, Grading and Materials Plan, and two perspective drawings.

The client had a variety of wishes that she wanted incorporated into a design concept for her property.  She is very interested in native plants, enjoys fruit trees, and takes long walks around her property daily.  She would like a very natural feel in her garden, almost a feeling "like a child walking through a forest."

These are the wishes as I understood them from Ms. Consolacion during the client interview:

• Focus on views looking out from the new sunroom
• 4 boulders essential to fung shui, 3'6" in size each "to square off the house"
• Incorporate a sculpture of a dancing couple
• Strong emphasis on native plants
• Walking path for daily exercise around the house
• Vegetable and squash plots
• Additional persimmon tree
• Keep the rose bush and ginger plants for sentimental purposes
• Space for the statue of St. Mary
• Would like the width of the front yard by the ditch to be a memorial to parents (emphasis on red flowers/foliage)

Consolacion Residence - Concept Plan

My design concept for the Consolacion Residence is "A Journey Through the Seasons."  This concept was inspired by the Bagua Map, an element in Feng Shui, shown in my earlier posting.  This concept plan shows a proposed birds eye view of what the entire property, located in Fairfax, VA, will look like.  The concept includes an evergreen screen to create privacy from neighbors along the perimeter on three sides, a walking path (an inner loop and outer loop concept), a wooden tea house, wildflower areas, a dancing couple sculpture and seat wall patio, and plenty of 4 season interest.  While the garden will look great throughout the year, certain areas of the garden will be of special interest during certain seasons as divided by the Bagua Map. 

Consolacion Residence-The Bagua Map

This drawing highlights how I have incorporated the Bagua Map, an element of Feng Shui, into my design concept.  The Bagua map divides and area into 9 quadrants.  Each quadrant has many different meanings, but for the purposes of this design I chose only 2; a season and a number.  For each season, I have proposed focal point plantings (trees or large shrubs) in the number represented by the Bagua Map.  Above I have shown where these plantings will be and how they will be distributed.  

Consolacion Residence-Grading and Materials Plan

This drawing shows the current and proposed topography to the residence.   As this residence has a steep slope, it was important to place stairs in the steeper areas on the walkways to minimize the incline.  The client takes regular walks around the house in the morning and evening for about 30 minutes each.

Consolacion Residence-Axonometric View

This 3D axonometric drawing highlights the new tea house constructed out of wood for a more natural feel in the landscape, as well as the new sculpture of a couple dancing.  The sculpture will be visible from the large view windows in the clients dance room in her house and the tea house will be a focal point from her soon to be constructed sun room.  

Consolacion Residence-Back View of House

This view shows what the back of the house will look like when looking on it from the back yard.  It  includes the soon to be constructed sun room on the left side of the house.