A photo essay for Landscapedia.com

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

I’d like to thank Michael at www.Landscapedia.com for this opportunity to submit this photo essay on a project that I worked on at Squaw Valley California which is adjacent to Lake Tahoe.

The clients that I collaborated with were old friends. We had previously done several projects together over the past 20 years so we had an established report.

The house at Squaw is a vacation home. It is lovingly used during the winter ski season and the summer boating and hiking season.
The homeowners expressed their desire to build a terrace that could be enjoyed all year round regardless of the heavy snow fall. For this specific reason we agreed that a built in snow melt system should be installed to keep the terrace and seating areas free from snow build up.
The heat coil hydronics system is installed in the stone seating and the stone flooring thus providing a snow shovel free patio.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

Dining and cooking alfresco was high on the wish list as well as a warm roaring fire to cuddle around on star lit evenings.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

There was the issue of privacy. In consideration for the neighbors who had a second story view into the newly developed area along with my clients own sense of exposure we knew that a privacy screen was required. During the course of the preliminary design meetings we came up with the idea of a metal crafted privacy screen that could weather the extreme weather conditions. A local metal smith , Mountain Forge in Truckee CA fabricated the screen out of copper and forged metal . It depicts the Squaw Valley mountain range beyond and even includes one of the ski lifts.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

After visiting the site to measure the existing site and building conditions and shooting the grades I presented the clients with three preliminary design sketches to get the design dialogue moving.
After much discussion we settled on the half round circular sitting area situated around the eco conscience gas fired fire ring.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

With the basic design intent determined I set forth in drafting up the construction documents.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

It was a given that my business partner, Miguel Chavez would be constructing the project.
He is a master stone mason with an articulate eye towards detail.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

During the construction the crew of 5 moved up to Squaw. They lived in the guest house above the garage during the week and I drove up on Fridays to review the weeks work and to solve any insitu concerns that may have arisen during the week.
It was a blissful 3 month long summer project.

As with many projects , there were some changes, additions and revisions during the construction.
We found that there would be a better pedestrian flow of traffic if the railing between the old deck and the new terrace was removed.
And a natural stone water feature was added much to everyone’s delight. It was the homeowners idea and it was a great one !

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

When discussing the surface treatment for the lower flat portion of the property we came to the conclusion that an artificial turf would be an excellent solution, it provides a maintenance free play surface for the kids and family dog.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

The planting scheme had to stand up to some pretty rough growing conditions. Squaw Valley receives a tremendous amount of snow and can have hurricane type wind.
The local grazing wildlife includes deer , copious bears ( who visited the job site several occasions ) and terrible little burrowing creatures.
I chose some natives along with some tried and true plants known for their successful performance in this high altitude location.
Some of the trees chosen were : Picea pungens ( Spruce), Abies (Fir) , Populus tremuloides ( Aspen), Acer palmatum ( Japanese Maple) , and Prunus ( flowering Plum)
Shrubs included Salix ( willow) , Physocarpus (ninebark), Spirea and Arctostaphylos ( kinnikinick berry ).
A drip irrigation system was installed.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

Out of courtesy for my clients a price for the installation is not available.

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California

From Squaw Valley Lake Tahoe California