This started out as one of those deals where the client had no good idea of what they wanted; besides some patio space, some seating, and some fire. Typical client request on a residence of this size.

Now how all this goes together is completely up to me, and the layout for the space is wide open.

 

[Final rendering that was sent to the client.]

After a lot of back and forth about a big, I mean really big pergola arbor that covered over half the patio . . . the idea was completely scrapped. It was not working to fit the scene, the scale, or the house itself.

The other big issue for the homeowner was . . . “would this wood be able to make the house seem not so high?” No; I kept repeating, you are about two and a half stories high, we can’t build an arbor to lower the house.

So it became more of an idea on how to create a pleasant place to sit, away from the house. Away as in not sitting next to a two-story wall.

[This was the initial concept sketch for the area.]

The other part of this was to make the firepit off-center. This is to allow some people to sit closer, while others can move off a ways if need be. Plus ample room to bring chairs around the firepit for those who prefer a chair over the bench-even if the bench has cushions, some folks just want some chairs.

The style of the pergola(if you’re wondering) matches quite closely to some entry pergolas I have designed for the front of the house. One at the gate to come down into the backyard, and the other which leads you into a garden going to the front door.

This was borrowed from some of the trim detail for the house. Was the drawing successful? Yes . . . the homeowner accepted without question, and with out asking how much. The idea for the sconces was a major benefit to the eager acceptance by the homeowners.

This is another example of why designers need to render. How could you possibly sell this in a plan view drawing.

This is the back of the house. The area in discussion is at the far left, and much of the patio would be out of frame.

[ I was not kidding when I said it was tall.]