| Wedding form and function
An extraordinary Woodside Hills home is on view for Symphony
in Flowers event
by Carol Blitzer / photos by Amy Pierre
The goals of landscaping the 3.5-acre property in Woodside
Hills were anything but simple: Unite the landscaping with the
minimalist, modern home on a hill with a breathtaking view of the
Bay while creating livable spaces for a family with young children.
The landscaping plays to the breathtaking Bay view, with a
vanishing-edge pool and a hill with sculpture and rocks that
echoes the urban landscape (while hiding a water tank). |
Visitors will get a chance to see just how successful landscape
architect Thomas Klope was, when they stroll through the gardens
on self-guided tours as part
of "Symphony in Flowers," a fundraiser for the San Francisco Symphony
on Sunday, June 13 (see box).
"My goal was not to impose a design on the project but to let the site dictate
the design," Klope says, pointing to the 180-degree view that stretches
to San Francisco on a clear day. One of his biggest challenges was working on a lot that was "almost solid
rock." The "before" pictures resemble rocky fields with an
industrial perimeter fence and large oaks.
The "afters" include an infinity, or vanishing-edge
pool that looks like it's flowing over the horizon, as well as
a series of garden rooms.
One large area functions for entertaining, with a fire pit; others are
better suited
for lively boys. The Kompan play structure from Sweden doubles as a piece
of outdoor sculpture. Another place the boys enjoy is an oak cluster, which
becomes
a place for imaginative play.
A private putting green, complete with sand trap, offers play
time for the whole family. |
At the tip of the estate is "Celestial Hill," with colorful
flowers, rocks that parallel elements in the urban landscape view
and a sun dial
sculpture by Archie Held of Point Richmond. The hill hides a pre-existing
water tank
that captures rainwater, which is used for both irrigation and the fire
sprinkler system.
Tons of Sierra white granite are set like a natural stream.
Adjacent to the pool is a concrete arbor. |
That fits right into Klope's emphasis on energy and water conservation.
The pool is heated by solar energy, with pipes running under the
concrete deck. The concrete
absorbs heat, enabling the pool water to reach 85 degrees an extra
two months out of the year without supplemental heating. (The system
paid for itself in
less than three years, he adds.)
Water-needing annual flowers were kept to a minimum, with splashes
of royal purple contrasting with the native grasses. A butterfly
and bird
garden
offers a "layering
of seasonal interest, with fruit in spring and color in fall," Klope
says.
Although the property is large, the house itself sits relatively close to its
neighbor and within easy view of the street. For privacy, 100-year-old manzanillo
olive trees were planted along the boundaries of the lot. The trees were taken
from William Randolph Hearst's estate near Sacramento. Throughout the landscape Klope kept the materials simple -- mainly
concrete, stainless steel, stone and water. "I wanted the
materials to speak for themselves," he
says. Nevada quartzite was used for the path into the oak forest,
as well as stacked adjacent to the pool deck.
Near the pool is a concrete and stainless-steel arbor, with "plant materials
with a strong feel," he says.
Goal
of project: Make a large property livable,
give privacy, unite landscape with house, take advantage
of view
Unexpected problems: Drainage,
engineering problems fell into gray areas in building
code
Size of garden: 3.5 acres
Year garden completed: 2003
Time to complete: About four
years
Budget: $2.5 million
|
Because owner Anaflor Smith was concerned about noise from the street and overhead
aircraft, a re-circulating fountain was constructed, using about 2,500 tons of
Sierra white granite, set to look as if it were lifted right out of Yosemite.
Smith was an active player in suggesting colors and textures for
the garden, he adds, noting that she wanted something "not too feminine, pretty gutsy." White
roses can be seen throughout the garden. "This pulls the house color down
to the garden and makes other colors even brighter," Klope
says.
A garden often takes a couple of years to fully develop, but Klope
says after only a year this one is ready for public view. Resources:
Landscape architect: Thomas Klope and Associates, 960 N. San Antonio
Road, Los Altos, (650) 941-9162
Landscape contractor: Mark Wheeler, Creekside Landscaping Inc.,
1391 Woodland Ave., Menlo Park, (650) 853-0443
What: Symphony in Flowers Garden Party and Twilight
Concert
When: Sunday, June 13, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Garden estate of Anaflor Smith, 240 Cinnabar
Road, Woodside Hills
Tickets: $125; call (650) 802-0725.
Info: Benefit for San Francisco Symphony
|
