Integrating a landscape project into the natural lay of the land

by Sally Bouorm | June 1, 2013 9:37 am

By Tracey Hesse

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When a glimpse of a garden leaves a homeowner’s guests speechless, something extraordinary has been created. Designing landscapes in a natural setting requires a careful balance between enhancing existing features and adding new elements that integrate harmoniously into the surroundings. Working with nature as well as managing a team of consultants and contractors requires organization and tact, above all, however, a vision of the final design is needed to guide the project through its various stages.

When a client in Mont Tremblant, Que., hired Hodgins & Associés, a landscape architectural firm based in Westmount, Que., to design a family garden space and oversee the project’s construction, the challenge was twofold. The design was to look as ‘natural’ as possible, but also incorporate several water features (e.g. swimming pool, spa, and waterfall). The site had some existing pathways near the residence, but most of the property was still heavily covered in woodland.

Inspired by nature

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The main residence is located at the top of a slope with a valley running perpendicular (north-south) to the back of the house. From the house, a staircase descends into a clearing wedged between the base of the slope and another exposed rock face. A tiny waterfall had been constructed on the exposed rock; however, it was barely visible from the back patio.

Farther away from the house, where this clearing widened, the client created a play area for their grandchildren. Unfortunately, most of the useable space was out of sight and too far from the house.

In addition to bringing the living and entertaining space closer to the home, the client wanted a swimming pool and spa. Other requirements included integrating the various means of access from the main house as well as selecting an area to install a pool house. Above all, the clients wanted a pool that would look like a natural pond nestled between the stone ridges running the length of the site.

Nature is complex; therefore, creating a ‘natural’ design can be quite challenging. Therefore, the idea was to draw inspiration from the existing elements while also keeping the impact of the construction process to a minimum.

A trickle-down effect

To do this, a detailed study of the site’s topography was performed to understand the lay of the land as well as to develop a concept that would make the most of the property’s existing open spaces and plateaus, and lessen the need to use dynamite to break up large rocks and earth. As such, the concept used prominent rock faces to frame the pool and spa, while plateaus at different levels were developed into terraces to resolve a 9-m (30-ft) height difference throughout the site.

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This ‘going with the flow’ strategy minimized intrusions into the existing rock and surrounding woodland, while also revealing a backbone that provided an organic structure to the space. Further, it also allowed the orientation of the new gardens to take full advantage of the views towards the southern hills.

A planting strategy was developed to progressively introduce more native species along the perimeter of the garden to soften the edges of the pool and patio areas while creating texture and seasonal colour. Safety throughout the site was also a concern; therefore, the design concept not only maintained the project’s visual continuity, but restricted access to certain parts of the rock outcroppings, which in turn helped shape the final design.

Resolving natural and man-made challenges

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Several technical challenges were faced during this project, including the site’s steep topography, restricted access, and protecting the existing forest along the property’s edge. An additional, man-made challenge was adhering to municipal bylaws for the site, which was subject to the Plan for architectural establishment and integration (PIIA). This section of the bylaw allows the municipality to control development and construction in sensitive parts of the territory, whether the interest is architectural or related to town planning, or a sector still characterized by its natural environment.

To meet the PIIA requirements, any design proposal had to meet strict criteria such as minimizing changes to existing topography and water flow, preserving existing vegetation, and rehabilitating access corridors. The regional government had specific requirements pertaining to the use of native plant species for site rehabilitation, while the presence of a substantial deer population made the selection of deer-resistant plants a necessity.

The site coverage ratio for the property was limited to 20 per cent of the total area, necessitating special permission from the City of Mont Tremblant before any work permits were issued. The landscape architects worked closely with a team of urban planners and surveyors to develop a design proposal that modified the site coverage requirements, but was still acceptable to the local administration. Therefore, in order for this project to be successful, the dynamics of the team had to evolve as the project advanced. This meant putting egos aside to keep the overall vision for the project in sight. Further, the ability to maintain a dialogue between the various contractors and professionals helped reinforce this collaboration, which also worked well to instill client confidence.

Once the construction permits were issued, Hodgins & Associés oversaw the bidding process and evaluated the various contractors responsible for construction. Val-Mar Pools in Mirabel, Que., was hired to install the swimming pool, spa, and waterfall basin, while Northland Landscaping, based in Mont Tremblant, was responsible for hardscaping and planting.

Site preparation and construction

The first order of business was the creation of an access way from a road on the northern edge of the property and the removal of mass amounts of material. Surveyors were on-site to monitor the progression of the excavation and to make sure the limits dictated by bylaws were respected. Once the material was removed, the area was then sculpted to create a series of terraces, while a boulder wall was installed along the southern edge of the site. After the rough grading was completed, the concrete framework for the water features and the base for the silica stone patios were installed. The main pool and waterfall basin measure approximately 8 x 15 m (26 x 50 ft), while the shape and width of the patios were dictated by the stone ridges on site.

To avoid blasting into the rock face, the design followed the contour of the natural rockscape. This strategy was approved by the City of Mont Tremblant as the design preserved the natural setting and the quality of the landscape and scenery. To create the waterfall, stone masons enhanced the water flow by slightly adjusting the rock face; however, no other modifications were necessary.

As the project advanced, managing the various stages of the water feature installation, while troubleshooting their operation, created a steep learning curve. With the goal of creating a seamless flow between the site’s natural and built environments, cutting-edge pool and spa technology was used to create the illusion of an uninterrupted flow of water throughout the site.

For instance, water spills down the rocky outcrop opposite the house and into a small pool (the spa). It then falls into a huge pond (the swimming pool) before cascading over the side of a cliff (the infinity edge) into a smaller pool (the overflow basin). While visually connected, each of these water elements required its own circulation, filtration, and heating system. Hidden within the pool house were a 914-mm (36-in.) sand filter for the pool, a cartridge filter for the spa, and a total of five pumps ranging from one- to three-horsepower for the pool filter, spa filter, waterfall, and spa jets. The pool required a 400,000 British thermal unit (Btu) propane heater as well as an additional water heater, while the spa required a 200,000 Btu propane heater. In terms of water maintenance, the pool was equipped with a salt chlorine generation system, while a bromine distribution system was selected for the spa.

For the pool and spa to appear as natural as possible, particular attention was paid to its finishing, coping, and surrounding patios. For example, locally quarried stone was selected for the hardscape elements, while boulders were incorporated along the perimeter of the main pool. Custom notching the boulders to fit over the pool’s edge was a time-consuming process as some required a full day’s work to be installed correctly. Finally, natural stone was used for the pool’s coping to give it a more rustic appearance, while the interior was finished to look more like a pond and mimic the neighbouring lakes.

The grand tour

While creating a coherent and striking visual ensemble, the garden’s series of interconnected spaces each has its own ambiance. The water features can all be enjoyed from the patios that encircle the new garden, and, from the residence, visitors can descend a staircase to a welcoming firepit and spacious terrace. From this vantage point, one overlooks the entire pool with a spectacular background view of the neighbouring hills.

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After descending a second set of stone steps, one enters the main pool area. Two larger terraces can comfortably accommodate a large group of guests, while native inspired-plantings frame the area and maintain a sense of intimacy. A final set of steps lead to the lowest terrace at the foot of the pool’s overflow basin. Here, guests can enjoy the view and the soothing sounds of the waterfall away from the activity on the upper levels.

On a more practical note, another challenge was integrating a pool house for the mechanical systems, change rooms, and other outdoor equipment. The location needed to be readily accessible, yet not impede the design’s visual flow. Ultimately, the rock formations dictated the pool house be tucked into the forest at the base of the existing staircase. Native plantings were used to soften the access pathway, while the wooden structure of the pool house was inspired by the main house.

To maintain a feeling of openness, while maximizing the impact of the surrounding views, a custom, wood-and-glass fence, inspired by the wooden fencing used in the existing garden, was erected around the pool perimeter area.

Finishing touches

In completing the project, lush waves of planting were used to compliment the organic lines of the new pool and patio area, while the garden was divided into ‘planted’ and ‘natural’ areas. Planted areas comprising horticultural and native species chosen for their visual esthetic are immediately adjacent to the pool, and newly created terraces with natural areas provide a buffer zone between built spaces and the existing vegetation. The use of native species not only helped to integrate the project’s man-made elements into the forested area, but also adhered to the municipal bylaw requirements. As such, surveyors were used to designate various planting areas as well as to confirm the project respected these municipal rules.

That said, plant selection was based on guidelines provide by the city as well as the expertise of Northland Landscaping. Together, an informal plant palette of subtle textures was put together, with the final selection comprising horticultural cultivars and native species of trees, large shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials, which are deer-resistant and hardy to zone 4. The plants included:

• Red Maple (Acer rubrum);
• American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis);
• Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa);
• Highbush Cranberry (Virburnum trilobum);
• Creeping Dogwood (Cornus canadensis);
• Common Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi);
• Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens);
• Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor);
• Joe Pye Weed (Eupartorium maculatum);
• Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium);
• Purple Silver Grass (Miscanthus purpurascens); and
• a seeding mixture of native, shade-tolerant perennials

Three years later

Work on the project started in September 2010 and was completed a year later. Today, the plantings have taken root and matured, providing a rich seasonal counterpoint to the activities that unfold in the garden. Nature provided the framework and a responsive, professional design team helped realize the full potential of this spectacular site. The clients not only enjoy themselves, but are also delighted to entertain their guests surrounded by the flow of water and rock that shape this unique space.

Editor’s note: This past February, Hodgins & Associés and Northland Landscaping received two awards for this landscaping project at the 2013 Association des Paysagistes Professionnels du Québec’s (APPQ’s) certified landscaper awards. They earned the ‘Milan Havelin’ grand prize, which is awarded to the project that most impressed judges across all contest categories, as well as the first place award in the ‘natural materials’ category.

Tracey Hesse is a landscape architect with Hodgins & Associés, a landscape architectural firm based in Westmount, Que. While completing her bachelor of arts (BA) in journalism and bachelor of fine arts (BFA) at Concordia University, she started her career as a landscape contractor and garden designer. Hesse returned to university to earn a master’s degree in environmental design from the Université de Montréal. Over the last 10 years, she has worked as a landscape architect at various Montreal-based firms, as well as taught briefly at the Université de Montréal. She can be reached via e-mail at tracey.hesse@heta.ca[6].

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