Initial Landscape Concepts/ Form

[Robert Ng]

Hello,

I have posted some sketches that explore programming, circulation, and form.  Tim, I tried a few attempts to reorient the driveway, however I think your layout is spot on.

Cheers 

2016-09-01-CONCEPTS.pdf

[Jeff McDavit]

Ok, thank you Robert, appreciate the update, will stay posted, -- jeff

[Robert Ng]

I could not get a hold of David, but left a voice message.  I will e-mail him on Monday to schedule a meeting.  

[Tim Haley]

Sounds great - I look forward to presenting this team effort to David :)

[Jeff McDavit]

Sounds great Robert thank you! 

[Robert Ng]

Hi Team,

I can have the sketches done by Saturday, however I may need til Monday to have them digitized/ scanned if that's OK.  Friday is a good day for me to meet.  I will give David a call tomorrow to set up a meeting time.  

 

[Jeff McDavit]

Good morning Robert, I spoke with Tim yesterday to go over the plan moving forward.  Would you be able to get us a revised sketch that takes into account our comments and also Tim's suggestion on paralleling the house to minimize amount of steps?  If you could post it by say this friday evening or saturday that would be great.  Again, the rough hand drawn style is fine for the initial review with David.  Friday September 16th will work for the meeting, could you call David Crompton 925-314-3349 and set up the meeting?  Maybe 4 - 415 PM ish?

Christine or myself would like to be there but if David's schedule is tight that day its probably more important that you and Tim are there.  Once we get the meeting with David and get his initial impression/feedback we can move forward from there.

Thanks --Jeff

[Jeff McDavit]

Cool firepit inspiration

[Jeff McDavit]

Robert, thank you for talking with me this morning and going over the sketches, very helpful!  I think we have an excellent start here and as we discussed, we would like to combine elements from your "clustered/square" drawings and from your "idea/elements" drawings.  Just to recap our discussion:

• Love the big grass area on the side of the house, can see some fun football games there.  Would like to also get some grass space for the  kids to play visible from the kitchen and dining rooms, down by the pool area, (doesn't need to be on exact elevation as pool)
• We really like the curved pathway from the side grass area to the main backyard area from your "idea/elements" drawings.
• We like how you used the scenic easement line with the Yee's property to define the backyard spaces, it allows privacy for us and also neighbors.  The scenic easement area is nice to keep as "natural landscape" so we can still have undisturbed hillside which is so beautiful.
• We prefer the single stairs down from the back courtyard (as you have in your "idea/elements" drawings) to the first "terrace" area (BBQ, firepit, patio space for table/chairs).  This could be at 831 ish since garages are 836, back courtyard is at 835 so maybe a 4 foot decrease down to 831??  We would prefer not to have the "double" stairs as illustrated in the "clustered/square" configuration.
• No need for pedestrian access, guests can just walk down driveway and no need for a mailbox.
• Add a spa to the pool, the spa could be at a slightly higher elevation than the pool (just an idea, not needed if easier not to do it that way), but would be cool to have spa facing Mt. Diablo and also infinity edge of pool facing Mt. Diablo. 
• Need patio space next to pool for lounge chairs etc.
• Sandbox is nice touch (thanks for thinking of kids!) but this space best used for garden and maybe some more patio space.
• One point also that may help us is that we do have "fill" on the lot which will be removed.  We could move this fill down the hill to help with the elevation of the backyard spaces if needed. 

Thanks again Robert, great start here, very exciting to see the house begin to come alive!