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Randy Tumber, APLD
PROJECT SUMMARY : Hutchinson Residence
Challenges:
- To integrate the architecture indicative of Frank Lloyd Wright into the rolling hills of Mulmer Township, rural Ontario.
- Substantial elevation change from rear walkout to the front of the house.
- Avid fisherman wanted pond - the only available site was on the side of a steep ravine which has a pure sand base - you can't get worse conditions that this!
Solutions:
1. On entry, the flavor of rural Ontario is captured and works well with the lines of the Frank Lloyd Wright house design, by using the traditional combination of a sugar maple-lined driveway and split cedar rail fence. The gently curving driveway expresses creativity while allowing visitors a gentle visual gaze across the entrance to the parking area as the entry walkway widens out projecting the feeling of warmth and hospitality. Incorporating curves and substantial berming integrates the house and natural environment. The berms and beds were finished with trees and hearty doses of native plantings making for 'good bones' in the design, and also helped 'sink' the house into it's surroundings.
Also incorporated was a substantial water feature, including koi pond and waterfalls in the ravine edge building site. The upper loft, front veranda and terrace were created to capture the magnificent sunsets, rolling meadows and far away hills.
2. A substantial elevation change existed from the rear walkout on the edge of the wooded ravine. To make use of this site challenge, an extensive water feature incorporating multiple waterfalls was designed. The enclosed recirculating system would create drama and intrigue, while effectively linking the gazebo to the lower patio areas that were also constructed.
Part
of the challenge was to accommodate a colonnade leading to the gazebo,
with lily ponds on both sides and a stream passing under the walk. The
colonnade provided an overhead canopy for climbing and flowering vines,
i.e. - hydrangea and honey suckle. A delightful breakfast and or dining
spot was incorporated under the canopy with a view of the whole watercourse,
the terrace, and down to the lower pond. The screened in gazebo is a perfect
meditation or relaxation spot with reflecting ponds mirroring the nearby
mature escarpment forest.
All of this had to be built 13 feet in the air due to the tremendous elevation change. It was accomplished using sono tubes. The fill was engineered to grade and retained with hundreds of tons of weathered limestone rock. The reflecting pools/lily ponds under the gazebo flow under a walkway down multiple cascades that are intertwined with natural stone walkways, steps and multi-level terraces. A large stone slab bridge was incorporated to cross the stream to connect the walkway. The multi-level terraces correspond to various walkouts from the lower family room and guest rooms. The house location affords a generous view of the entire watercourse as well as the lower pond on the side of the wooded ravine.
3. This avid fisherman wanted a pond and the only available site was on the side of a steep ravine with pure sand conditions. To build a pond on such a site, it had to be completely lined with plastic. It was then covered with sand, boulders and beach pebbles not only to obtain a natural look, but also to prevent sharp deer hooves from tearing the plastic liner. We installed a closed system recirculating waterfall to skim and aerate the pond for the health of the pickerel, crappie, minnows, frogs, turtles, etc. that make this pond their home. The pond was further naturalized by using native plant materials and aquatics. A functional dry riverbed was installed to accommodate any overflow drainage.
The finished project has won the top provincial award: the Dunington Grubb Award; and the National Canadian Gold award through the National Spa and Pool Institute for Waterfeatures.
Randy Tumber, APLD, CLD, of Tumber & Associates in Ontario, Canada has been in business for 27 years in the design / build landscape industry. Tumber & Associates are widely known for their excellence in specializing in the design and installation of mature, native landscapes. Their areas of expertise include: native habitat restoration; natural water features including pools, ponds, hot tubs, waterfalls and fountains; natural stone boulder placement and mason work including natural stone gourmet barbecue stations; and overall project and site planning. Contact info: Ph. 519 941 3867, www.tumber.ca
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