Creative Hardscaping Designs: Transforming Outdoor Spaces with Innovation
Custom pickleball court amongst lavish landscape, designed by Lanson B. Jones & Co.
In landscape design, hardscaping serves as the backbone, providing structure, functionality, and aesthetic appeal to outdoor living spaces. Walkways, patios, and fire pits are just some of the elements that can elevate a yard.
With extensive expertise in maximizing the potential of hardscaping, the Lanson B. Jones Landscape Architecture team brings years of experience to the table. Here, AJ Akhtar shares insights into their approach and philosophy.
Exemplary Hardscaping Projects
One recent standout project featured a meticulously crafted checkerboard pattern pool deck.
"The project had to be meticulously thought out, with precision with the angles and alignment points on all the joints for the tile," he said. “It took a lot of technical details to get that done correctly and to make it look uniform and symmetrical, and the client loved it."
A bocce ball court (shown below) took center stage in another hardscaping project that incorporated a limestone walkway and steps. Enhanced with strategically placed lighting beneath the steps, the effect was reminiscent of a floating pathway, adding a touch of whimsy to the outdoor space.
Currently in progress is a clean and modern French-style octagon pool featuring all-white quartzite and quartz details.
“There are a lot of technical aspects to this project too,” AJ said. “It’s important to align joints from water lines, coping, skimmers, decking, and drain grates making sure everything is thought out with intention.”
Blending Functionality and Aesthetics
It’s this attention to detail that is necessary to create an outdoor space that is both beautiful and practical.
AJ said that the foremost consideration in blending functionality and aesthetics is ensuring precise finish grades, which refer to the final surface levels or elevations of various elements within a landscape or outdoor environment.
If the designer is also doing the work, it makes things easier. Regardless, the contractor needs to make sure that the surfaces of patios, pathways, and pool decks, etc. are at the correct height and slope as intended in the design plans.
A smooth and purposeful flow between these outdoor elements minimizes tripping hazards and creates the best environment for users. While each hardscaping project is tailored to a particular client, the craftsmanship and attention to detail are the same.
“That's part of our expertise - making sure we blend functionality without compromising the client’s unique design,” AJ said.
A Diverse Range of Options in Hardscaping Materials
There are a lot of options when considering materials for a hardscaping project. Materials are either chosen for their versatility or aesthetic appeal, or both.
From traditional choices like brick and flagstone to more trend-setting selections such as quartz and quartzite, the team at Lanson B. Jones can source a number of options to suit different projects.
Additionally, the team provides comprehensive maintenance solutions, including sealing, staining, and cleaning services to preserve and enhance the longevity and appearance of surfaces over time.
AJ said that decorative colored concretes offer a lot of versatility, allowing clients to customize their outdoor spaces with unique hues and finishes. Another option the team recently used to great effect was large format, gray limestone stepping pads from Italy.
“They were great for breaking up a large area while still offering continuity,” he said. “It allowed for different spaces for guests to enjoy a cocktail or a cigar.”
Trends in Hardscaping Design for Outdoor Living Areas
What is popular right now, according to AJ, is a sleek, modern aesthetic with a focus on durability and ease of maintenance. Here's what the team is seeing:
Clean Lines and Crisp Colors: Straight lines and crisp, defined colors dominate contemporary hardscape designs. Aligning joints evenly and maintaining clean, uniform lines add a sense of sophistication to outdoor spaces.
Matching Coping to Waterline Tile: A rising trend involves bringing coping down to match the waterline tile in pools. This integration creates a cohesive look and enhances the visual appeal of the pool area.
Durable Alternatives to Natural Materials: While natural materials like marble may offer beauty, they often lack durability and require extensive maintenance. As a result, clients are seeking alternatives such as quartzite. Quartzite provides the same aesthetic appeal as marble but with greater durability and lower maintenance requirements, making it an ideal choice for outdoor hardscaping projects.
Environmental Considerations in Hardscaping
Drainage design is a cornerstone, ensuring proper water management and erosion prevention by strategically placing drainage systems around hardscapes. Despite regional challenges, like managing water drainage due to fluctuating rainfall patterns, the team balances installations with effective solutions to prevent water stagnation and potential flooding.
The team also prioritizes the safeguarding of mature trees, implementing measures to protect their root systems during construction to maintain the health and integrity of the landscape.
To minimize environmental impact, they employ practices such as draping materials to contain sawdust and debris during cutting or sawing processes, preserving surrounding plant life and minimizing contamination.
Enhancing Hardscaping with Lighting and Plantings
Lighting can enhance the overall appeal and functionality of hardscaping elements. By incorporating lighting fixtures, such as moonlighting, clients can add subtle illumination to driveways and walkways, improving visibility and security without cluttering the space with smaller lights.
Additionally, step lights can be strategically placed to increase safety at night, ensuring that individuals can easily navigate pathways and stairs without tripping.
For plantings, hedging or low ground cover can serve as a border around hardscapes. These plantings serve as transitional elements between the hardscape features and the surrounding landscape, creating a connection between the built environment and natural greenery.
Structured hedging and tight ground cover bands are favored for their ability to provide a clean and polished look, while complementing the design aesthetic of the outdoor space.
Engaging with Clients to Bring Visions to Life
Hardscaping projects begin with conceptual design by Lanson Jones. After initial approval, designs are refined in AutoCAD, ensuring precise measurements and tile sizes for the desired look.
While standard sizes are sometimes sufficient, the team sometimes opts for custom sizes or on-site cutting to ensure every element fits perfectly. Multiple site visits confirm measurements and ensure alignment with the original design.
It is communication and collaboration with clients that are essential aspects of the design process. By sharing their inspirations and preferences early on, clients give valuable insight into their vision for their outdoor space.
Through careful consideration of the three Ps—the personality of the property, personality of the home, and personality of the client—the end product not only meets both the practical needs of the client but surpasses their expectations for both form and function.
Contact the team at Lanson B. Jones & Co. for expert help in Houston and beyond.