Information Request # 409
Top: A CAT 303.5 CCR mini excavator and a CAT 289C track loader were used to excavate a 10-foot shelf, and a 12,500-pound compactor compressed the sub-grade to 95 percent proctor for the walls and paver base areas. Woven geotextile was installed, footings were built with 57 stone, and 6-inch drain tile was placed throughout. Construction of the walls followed.
Bottom: The fire pit area was constructed to be permeable, while the rest of the paver surface was treated using Alliance Gator XP Polymeric Sand. RH Peterson Campfyre components were used to create the natural gas burning fire pit.
process, but turned out to be a focal point of the space. "It allowed for easy access to the rear yard, while appealing to the clients' love of dramatic southern entrances," Heath said.
The arbor that marked an end-point in the clients' original yard was repurposed into a transition zone, inviting guests into the outdoor living space below. To il- luminate the space in the evenings, and to provide for the safety of the clients and their guests, FX CustodeGradino wall lights were strategically placed throughout the area.
The existing weeping cherry was used as an anchor to blend the hardscape with the surrounding property, and dwarf gardenias were added to the center planter bed for aromatic appeal. "When you have 1,100 square feet of pavers on multiple levels," Heath said, "it's absolutely imperative to bring green space into play." The fire pit area was constructed from the same Ashlar Blend block as the walls. Mid Atlantic Enterprise had a plumbing and gas fitter feed the fire pit with natural gas, and a timer-controlled RH Peterson Outdoor Campfyre Burner was installed to control the fire. To create a look of burning wood, Outdoor Campfyre Logs and Lava Granules were added to the fire pit. This created a relaxing campfire environment without the ashes and smoke that accompany natural burning fire pits. Along with the "no straight lines" request, the homeowners wanted to maintain the natural beauty of the property. Rather than taking one's eye away from the beautiful waterfront, the revamped outdoor spaces create a seamless transition from the steps of the backdoor to the backyard.
LC July 2012 29
DBM