David Reed Landscape Architects

The owners purchased a new custom home on a large property, a completely blank slate.

The design program included a large swimming pool with water sprays and a spa, a large, shaded outdoor kitchen and pergola structure with barbecue and lots of counter space for gathering and dining, incorporation of the existing cabana into the rear yard design, a large play set, fruit tree and veggie garden areas, a large storage and trash enclosure, and central fountain. We also created a raised sitting area with banquette to expand the rear yard.

The property was large enough we felt it was essential to have storm water detention on site. So with a large front yard, we incorporated a dry stream bed, which serves as a bio-filtration basin during rain events.

It was important to create a welcome feeling from the street. To accommodate the change in elevation we added a few steps up, to a mini bridge that “fords” the dry stream, further incorporating bio-retention into the design.

The owners, recent transplants from the Northeast, knew to ask for “eco-friendly” plants and succulents.

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With ZGF Architects and Andropogon Associates

This world class, state of the art facility is California’s first truly sustainable laboratory facility, the first carbon neutral addition to the UCSD campus, and of course, is rated LEED Platinum. The new Venter Institute building is the site of the latest in genomic focused research.

As Landscape Architects of record (with Andropogon Associates of Philadelphia), an all native landscape was planned, with intensive and extensive roof gardens covering 12% of the building area. Magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and public access to the Skeleton Canyon Ecological Reserve were preserved. All supplemental irrigation is from collected rainfall, stored in cisterns below the building and site. Several major, existing Torrey Pine trees were successfully transplanted.

Our firm provided extensive design support for all planting, all irrigation design and some assistance with hardscape development, and complete Construction Administration.

After construction, we completed the revegetation of the adjacent 4-acre site with native plants and temporary irrigation.

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Work included a completely new Landscape Master Plan for the entire 44 acre site, built circa 1971. In phases 1 & 2, seven greenbelts were transformed into water conserving landscapes. More than half of all lawn areas were removed, and replaced with low drought tolerant and procumbent groundcovers.

The proposed plant palette includes new, drought tolerant and xeriphytic plant species, which still provide continuity, color and texture to the landscape. A new Tree Master Plan was included.

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This landscape design set a new paradigm for water conserving plantings for a mid Century Modern classic building in Banker’s Hill San Diego, with an estimated water savings of over $4,000 per year. New hardscape and lighting were also added.

The previous landscape was all lawn, and was replaced with California native plants, brightly colored succulents and other very drought tolerant ornamentals. Strips of the highly water conserving ‘U.C. Verde’ Buffalo grass were used to facilitate pedestrian traffic across the wide parkway strip.

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This getaway cabin is a refuge away from busy city life and surrounded by 1000 acres of cattle ranch, and has stunning views to Mt. Palomar. The owners asked that the landscape be a “non-landscape”; that it not look like a designed garden, but simply be part of the majestic surroundings.  Functional improvements were treated in rural fashion; like driveway in gravel, walkways in  decomposed granite. Steps and patio are in stone. A fireplace was nestled into existing boulders. Planting is native and naturalizing. Around the cabin, it is low and shrubby. The outer forty is a wildflower meadow, of native species. Several mature oaks were added into the scene.

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Along with newly landscaped medians, our firm designed a signage monumentation package for this upscale community in rural Ramona. The project required approvals from the Ramona Community Planning Group, and permitting through the County of San Diego. Work included construction documents, bidding and construction administration.

LED lighting was incorporated into the design, with electrical connections to be added in Phase 2. The landscaped medians are extremely drought tolerant, appropriate for the climate in Ramona and Southern California’s water future.

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Part of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) – San Diego Chapter’s  “A Landscape in Transition” Garden Tour 2010

The project included re-design of an existing landscape, especially the front yard, to make it more water conserving, and shows itself as a model of possibility for future residential water conservation. More than 50% of the existing turf was removed. The remainder was replaced with the low water use ‘U.C.Verde’ Buffalograss, which is as drought tolerant as ice plant.
The scope included all phases of design and HOA approvals through construction documents and construction administration for some flatwork and masonry, planting, irrigation and lighting.

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2010 Pool & Spa News, In-ground Spa Master of Design Award.

Strong succulent textures and other nearly xeriphytic plantings are a counterpoint to stone and concrete walls and paving. The owners live their evenings in the rear yard, cooking, eating, and warming by spa and fireplace around a “broken” circle designed to remind one of California’s geology. A large slate wall spills forth with water into a pebbled basin. At the end of the garden, a large iron “torii bell” hangs, waiting to be rung. One low wall with bas-relief forming, pays homage to the venerable landscape architect, Isabelle Greene.

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The owner’s house sits well above this garden, so viewing it from above inspired the geometric arrangement. Nearly xeriphytic plantings relieve the need for more than occasional care, while the owners veggie garden is neatly contained within oxidized metal planter boxes. Blue glass provides a striking accent; some of it is lit from underneath.

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2002   Orchids & Onions Awards, Grand Orchid for Outstanding Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and Lighting Design.

Landscape Architectural work for this Grand Orchid winning, 5-star Craftsman Style resort hotel & spa, features the Arroyo Terrace, with native plants, pines and bluffs, and the Grand Terrace, an Edwardian/Craftsman Terrace surrounded by gardens and the picturesque Torrey Pines Golf Course.

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