The MAPLE Landscape

Admittedly, the initial project scope of adding a mudroom + 2 garages to the front of an existing house was not immediately inspiring. But opportunities are often found in unlikely places, and it quickly became an engaging exercise in courtyard design. Bounded on the south side by the existing modernist façade and flanked by the 2 new structures to the east and west, the north side opens to the street, defined by a low concrete wall and a row of trembling Aspen trees. The clients were enthusiastic participants in the design process as we explored structure, materials and planting in a modernist interpretation of the French ‘Parterre ‘ garden form. The absence of a front lawn shifts the emphasis to mass plantings and groupings of trees that interface with a grid of different surfaced pathways: poured concrete, pea gravel and crushed granite. Despite facing north, the courtyard enjoys a wide range of sun conditions, from early summer sunrises to late afternoon winter sunsets. The material palette of smooth concrete, western red cedar and Corten steel was chosen to complement the minimalist white stucco of the house and outbuildings. A variety of Japanese Maples, a border of Weeping Nootka Cypress and a linear copse of Trembling Aspens provide year round interest, plus the sound of leaves in the summer breezes rising from the Dundas Valley below.