interaction
2023 UPDATE
We've been hard at work on a redesign of the roof for this now 13 year old porch. Check out a preview below.
We've been hard at work on a redesign of the roof for this now 13 year old porch. Check out a preview below.
intentions
Everything is a relationship of action and reaction, cause and effect. A partnership. A yard is a space where relationships are enjoyed, a transition and position to daily life and this yards history inspired our exploration for a design renovation. The site changed over time in a series of actions and reactions - additions to the house, removal of trees, addition of a deck and walkway - that reacted to the lay of the land and the structures around them.
A brick sidewalk, replacing an older wood one was the first iteration the client made after moving in. The sidewalk served as an analogy to the couple's lifeline, their life together. Moments along this lifeline were chosen to be patios for their relation to the rest of the yard and house. From the patios the new deck, porch and landscaping took shape as a series of reactions or reflections to the additions along the sidewalk.
A brick sidewalk, replacing an older wood one was the first iteration the client made after moving in. The sidewalk served as an analogy to the couple's lifeline, their life together. Moments along this lifeline were chosen to be patios for their relation to the rest of the yard and house. From the patios the new deck, porch and landscaping took shape as a series of reactions or reflections to the additions along the sidewalk.
before
This North MPLS back yard project was a collaboration between Josh (designer) and Teigen Leonard (landscape designer and landscaper).
The client sought to replace a rotting deck, add a screen porch and reshape the yard with patios and planting beds, a rain garden and new landscaping.
For this project form followed reflection.
• Approximately 50% of the old deck was salvaged for future deck and patio furniture.
• The structure of the new porch was reclaimed lumber from a milk barn in Southern Minnesota.
• All pavers used for new patios were extras on site from an existing sidewalk the client did 5 years before.
• A rain garden was designed to properly drain the site and reduce runoff.
• 4 Rain Barrels were installed to collect storm water for landscape irrigation.
• A series of planting beds facilitate an urban garden and double as seating for one of two patios.
The client sought to replace a rotting deck, add a screen porch and reshape the yard with patios and planting beds, a rain garden and new landscaping.
For this project form followed reflection.
• Approximately 50% of the old deck was salvaged for future deck and patio furniture.
• The structure of the new porch was reclaimed lumber from a milk barn in Southern Minnesota.
• All pavers used for new patios were extras on site from an existing sidewalk the client did 5 years before.
• A rain garden was designed to properly drain the site and reduce runoff.
• 4 Rain Barrels were installed to collect storm water for landscape irrigation.
• A series of planting beds facilitate an urban garden and double as seating for one of two patios.
visioning
After comprehensive site exploration two origins were chosen along the path to define patios. The patios in turn define the parameter of the new deck and porch. One patio (shaded) keeps it's integrity while the other (sunny) has been altered through further play of cause and effect.
In the diagram each of the concentric circles represent an interaction with some element in the yard- some corner or wall, tree or bend. The circles are the reflections and interference pattern between the patios and all else they are in relation with.
In the diagram each of the concentric circles represent an interaction with some element in the yard- some corner or wall, tree or bend. The circles are the reflections and interference pattern between the patios and all else they are in relation with.
process
cause & effect
An existing brick sidewalk served as a narrative lifeline - the clients lifeline. Shaped by it's environment the walkway, a path from front to back, winds through it's surroundings. All past 'actions' within the yard (the house, the deck, trees and location of garage) shaped the path. The clients lifeline together is similarly shaped by the elements of their lives, by cause and effect, action and reaction, insistence and reflection, movement and change.
The recognition of this process (of action/ reaction) drove our design thinking. We sought to uncover a conversation, energy and play between the major elements of the yard - house/ garage/ patios/ trees/ path (brick walk)/ deck/ yard (grass and planting). Past actions shaped the path so now the path was allowed to influence.
To elicit this new ripple effect two patios were introduced along the path and served as the starting point for how the rest of the elements would respond. Located after extensive site study and experimentation these patios one in daylight, one in shade) add to the existing conversation and give cause for the rest of the new elements, deck and porch, planting beds and landscaping.
