flowing over
The swimming pool and spa described in the accompanying text are fitted with a slot-overflow detail that encompasses the watershape's entire perimeter. We knew, given the fact that Stepanie Rose's design was meant to provide a seamless, reflecting-pool effect, that the appearance and function of the overflow system was critical.
The water flows over a flamed granite coping and into a half-inch slot. It then flows by gravity along a formed gutter to feed a six-inch plumbing loop that drops into an eight-foot-cube surge tank buried beneath stepping pads that lead to the side yard and equipment pad. We didn't want the access to the tank to be visually disruptive in the relatively small space, so we placed it so one of the stepping pads is lifted to reveal the tank's hatch.
As with all perimeter slot-overflow systems, precision leveling was a key to success. Using water levels, our masons hit the mark dead on. This was especially tricky with the spa: To maintain a sense that the entire pool was a monolithic reflecting surface, the spa's overflow is a mere 1/64th of an inch above the surface of the pool and all but vanishes when you look across the water.
--RB |
The construction project involved a delicate, precise balancing of visuals and practicality, as in the appearance and functioning of the perimeter-overflow system as well as our effort to hide the lid of the surge tank under a steppingstone (it's the closest one in the image, by the way) and in establishing a functional spillway level for the spa without passing more than the faintest of ripples - just visible tin the photograph - into the reflecting pool. |
finishing touches
The surface of the pedestal falls an inch below the water's surface and is also finished with a black granite top. The sculpture is mounted on three small granite disks concealed beneath the piece's footprint and is secured with threaded stainless steel pins sealed with epoxy. The effect is that the disks disappear, leaving the sculpture to float on the surface of the dark water.
the kinetic Stillman sculpture is located on the south end of the yard, opposite the raised wooden deck in a small lawn area. Although it isn't close enough to the pool to be reflected on the water's surface, it's movements draw the eye across the pool and the lawn during relaxing moments on the deck.
The planting plan in this outdoor-gallery treatment is very simple - mostly medium to dark evergreen plants with little variation in texture. While it blends with the minimalist goals of the setting, it also has a subtle East Coast style that harmonizes with the home's architecture.
Across the back, we removed the Ficus hedge and its invasive roots, replacing it with a line of podocarpus. On the side of the yard just behind the Stillman piece. we set up a wall of Mexican Weeping Bamboo, which has a soft texture and makes beautiful rustling sounds as it moves in the wind behind the kinetic sculpture. We also placed a pair of Mayten trees on each side of the stillman piece as a soft, subtle frame.
To soften the appearance of the house's foundation, I planted a line of Roses, Pittosporum, Heliotrope and Stipa grass. Keeping the area simple and only using whites, greens and purples was critical to maintaining the gallery feeling while subtly blending the yard into the structure. These particular plants also appear in the front yard, tying the two areas together. |
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| The yard is large enough to hold several art pieces, but in keeping with the minimalist spirit of the space, there are just tow others in addition to the Guy Dill piece floating in the pool: a colorful urban landscape by Fred Prescott on a corner of the wooden deck and, on the opposite end of the yard, an amazing kinetic sculpture by Bruce Stillman. |
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