The design and construction challenges for this project focused on satisfying a number of client goals that included:
- Completing all work by August 5, 1993, with the design phase commencing on March 1, 1993 and construction occurring only for a 30-day period.
- Accomplish the work desired by creating a Design/Build team between the Landscape Contractor and a local Landscape Architect comfortable with working on a tight schedule and experienced with high-end landscape construction.
- Create an overall master plan to direct all Phase I work while keeping in perspective future phases of work in the remainder of the front yard.
- Provide design solutions that deal with specific client objectives pertaining to creating a strong sense of entry from approach into the property, creating a functional turnaround with regard to turning geometry and user comfort, and long-term durability with regard to drainage and snow removal.
- Fulfill the client's overall budget for this phase of work.
- Create a lasting "hardscape" distinctive to the client's desires and appropriate for the surrounding context.
PROJECT CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
Challenge: Compressed conceptual design and construction drawing schedule that ran concurrent with developing a final budget, construction contract and schedule.
Solution: Design was accomplished with a series of work sessions between the client, designer and contractor. Initial sketches were prepared in advance to discuss alternatives and to make immediate and informed decisions on which further details/decisions were based. This process allowed for soliciting bids from sub-contractors for site work, blasting, and paver production on an accelerated schedule. The Landscape Contractor was responsible for all earthwork, grading, paving and sodding and construction coordination. Landscape Architect was responsible for overall design, detailing, field layout and preserving the overall design intent.
Challenge: Adhere to special installation, layout and finishing techniques for paving product selected.
Solution: Sub-base, based and site drainage were of particular concern since this pavement would function as a vehicular turnaround positioned as the "Front Door" to the main entry of a high end single family residence. Vehicular loading and resistance to the lateral forces due to tight turning radii were key considerations. The setting required tight radii, so a well compacted based and firm edge restraint was needed to resist lateral forces of turning cars.
To assure successful long term performance, special effort was made to install a well compacted sub-based and based (± 24 depth). This foundation satisfied our concerns for quick and positive drainage and assured that future settling would not occur. Also, an ecological benefit using concrete modular pavers was that they allowed storm water to percolate back into the soil while avoiding the additional and unnecessary cost of installing structures to collect, channel and discharge storm water.
Edge restraint was accomplished with pre-molded, PVC edge restraint ("Pave Edge"), anchored with galvanized 10" stakes and placed just before compacting the pavers with a vibratory compactor.
Challenge: Tailor design around a particular type of paver best suited for this design.
Solution: Paver selection was based on a number of needs. First, both the "Classico" and "Appian" pavers were selected because the layout of the turnaround was based entirely on a series of intersecting curves, not a single straight line occurred. The style of both these pavers lend themselves to curvilinear layouts due to their rounded corners, which minimize joint width when laid radially. Also, the paver profile was appropriate for "blending" with the surrounding naturalistic landscape to be developed later. Second, we needed a transition between the main field of paving and existing bituminous driveway. The edge of the driveway was saw cut to create a clean edge and for removal of ±12"of broken driveway edge. Transition pavers were the "Appian" style in a gray/black color to blend with the adjoining driveway.
Private Residence, Amherst, NH
This private residence is located in Amherst, New Hampshire. The property consists of one large 20-acre parcel situated on top of a hill and accessed from a dead-end, private road. Phase I work consisted of creating a new "Front Door" presentation to the house with a paved turnaround of concrete pavers while preserving most existing plantings. This work was based on an overall Landscape Master Plan from the front half of the property.