STONE CREATES ARCHITECTURAL
STATEMENT FROM LAND OR LAKE
Te outdoor spaces at this Wayzata, Minn.,
home, overlooking Lake Minnetonka, were
completed in two phases: Te construction of
the retaining walls to create access from the
home to the lakeshore occurred before work
on the home had fully begun; then, once the
home was nearly complete, the Southview
Design team, based in St. Paul, Minn., re-
turned to fnish the outdoor living spaces near
the home and the landscaping. Tim Johnson,
landscape designer and partner, explains that
some of the key features of the project included
the vanishing pool, hot tub, two gas fre pits,
outdoor kitchen, lighting and pool deck areas.
Planning the design of the outdoor living
spaces required planning and consideration
for the Minnesota weather and nuances of the
home's landscape. "We have good conversations
with the client so we can work with them as far
as giving them some good direction or getting
some understanding from them as far as what
they like. Ten we understand a little bit of
the budget so we can know what to propose,"
Johnson says. "Use of materials is really import-
ant, knowing how to complement or contrast. I
think picking the right material, knowing how
to construct for the climate and not overlooking
proper installation practices are really key."
Case in point, the blasted granite stone
boulders used for the retaining walls ft the
homeowner's tastes and budget while creat-
ing an architecturally stunning look. From
an installation standpoint, Johnson explains
the pathway and retaining walls were cut and
built to stand up to any drainage from the
upper property and winter conditions while
still being completely functional for the home-
owners to traverse getting from the home to
the boat house and vice versa. "Te huge ter-
race of stone walls contrast with the house
and boat house, creating a nice mixture and
a nice contrast architecturally," he says. "Tat
was one of things we were trying to achieve,
and the whole thing makes a great statement
— you won't miss it when you're on the lake."
Photos: Troy Thies, Troy Thies Photography
QualifiedRemodeler.com | ForResidentialPros.com QR July 2015 27