This private residence is located in Gilford, New Hampshire. The property consists of four lots: two lots sloping down to and fronting Lake Winnipesaukee where the residence and Carriage House were constructed and two lots located up-slope of the lake opposite Edgewater Drive where a raised septic system, electrical generator and guest parking area were developed. Site and landscape improvements on this property occurred over a two-year period of planning and construction. Design work focused on formulating an overall Landscape Master Plan for the two lakeside lots and to secure the necessity of local and State approvals to construct the proposed breakwater, dock, access and raised beach along the Lake Winnipesaukee shoreline. Site and landscape construction commenced in December 1998 and was completed in October 1999. This work had to deal with working in extremely tight spaces and around stockpiles of construction materials for many trades as well as accommodate from five to ten subcontractors on site at any one time. Finally, it should be noted that a majority of the granite block wall construction occurred during the winter of 98/99 under very cold and windy conditions.
Specific site and landscape improvements included:
- Coordination of overall site grading and shaping of the site to create a sand beach, access from the lake and boat dock to the house, a setting for the house and front entry walk and to create a paved automobile court adjoining the Carriage House and residence.
- Development of a series of front, side and rear plantings, characterized by layered and mass groupings of trees and shrubs as well as lawn and perennial beds arranged and installed for presentation, screening, seasonal color and slope stabilization.
- Construction of a number of granite slab walkways and patios including the front entry, service entry, gazebo/kitchen entry, Carriage House entry, rear elevation walkout patio and Lake view overlook patio. These slabs averaged 4' wide x 6' long x 2" - 6" thick and were cut, edged and finished in the field.
- Construction of a curvilinear granite block wall to create a series of spaces that frame the approach into the main entrance of the house. These blocks were recycled from demolition of the Manchester Street Bridge in Concord, New Hampshire and averaged 2' x 4' x 6' in size. Wall height varied from meeting grade to 7'0" with a curved top of wall profile field fabricated as well.
- Construction of a radial granite block wall to frame the access walk down to the Lake and the raised beach. This wall also serves as a device to solve a ±10'0"difference in grade from the shoreline to the rear of the house as well as minimize grading impacts along the State's jurisdictional 'top-of-bank' and lake shoreline.
- Construction of a radial granite block wall and perimeter to provide a safe and challenging play space and sandbox for the grandchildren.
- Create a series of outdoor entertainment spaces featured by granite slab patio with associated plantings and perennial beds.
- Design an elaborate low voltage outdoor lighting scheme to provide a combination of up lighting, down lighting and soft 'washing' of plants and buildings for accent, interest and security.
- Coordinate the installation of an overall landscape irrigation system specified to water all lawn, shrub and perennial beds on a timed and low water use schedule.
- The design and construction for this project focused on satisfying a number of client goals that included:
- Completing all work by Fall 1999, with the design commencing in March 1997 and landscape construction occurring over a one year 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, experienced with high-end landscape construction and able to deliver innovative landscape.
- Provide design solutions and implementation that deal with specific client objectives pertaining to creating a functional, but distinctive, outdoor entertainment patio space, a distinctive "First Impression" front entry experience, a safe, but challenging, play space for the grandchildren and a paved court for car access and parking.
- Create a mixture of outdoor landscapes suitable to serve the varied and seasonal needs of the owner's extended family.
- Provide a design, specify materials and use construction techniques that are durable and practical for long-term maintenance.
- Fulfill the client's overall budget requirements, and
- Create a lasting 'hardscape' distinctive to the client's desires and appropriate for the surrounding context.
Landscape Architect: Douglas Greiner
Sherman Greiner Halle' Ltd. | 2 Capital Plaza - Suite 2 | Concord, NH 03301
Very Best in NH Award - Landscaping-Residential Over $30,000:
Site and landscape improvements on this property occurred over a two-year period of planning and construction. Design work focused on formulating an overall Landscape Master Plan for the two lakeside lots and to secure the necessity of local and State approvals to construct the proposed breakwater, dock, access and raised beach along the Lake Winnipesaukee shoreline.