This luxury residential community for the discerning buyer consists of numerous spacious villas, each with their own extensive private gardens. Inspired by classical French architecture and landscape design, the community is very unique in that each villa is sold complete with its interior and landscape already installed, which ensures a level of quality and design continuity throughout.
Upon entering the property through a guarded entry, residents are guided through a series of courtyard gardens, to build drama as well as provide a sense of tranquility and seclusion from the outside. The landscape architecture of these gardens reflects the grand clubhouse building, articulated in the carved limestone and marble cladding and elaborate gilt ornamental metalwork.
Elements in the gardens continue this high classical style, featuring sculptural fountains of carved stone and cast bronze, and dramatic reflecting pools lined in mosaic marble tile. Extensive use of large trees that provide fall and spring color, as well as the many parterre flower gardens, provide a constantly changing scene throughout the year.
Every villa’s design is unique and feels separate from its neighbor, and is designed specifically for its floorplan. Fourteen-foot high walls offer privacy and a sense of security to the gardens which include outdoor kitchens, covered living and dining spaces, focal carved stone fountains, and koi ponds. Lawn areas and parterre gardens round out the verdant environments. In addition, the residents are granted extended access to neighboring private parks, gardens and children’s adventure areas, also designed by Lifescapes International.
A 306-unit apartment development is situated on a 10.6 acre parcel within the Civita master planned community in Mission Valley, San Diego. A sustainable, contemporary garden environment, which complements the crisp, clean buildings of a similar design vernacular, defines this special destination. To emphasize the client’s desire to create a neighborhood devoted to sustainability, beauty and leisure, the on-site offerings provided in and around the multifunctional recreation center are plentiful.
Outdoor amenities adjacent to the recreation center include a junior Olympic-size, saltwater pool, covered cabanas equipped with HDTVs, an outdoor fireplace and a pool-side BBQ for alfresco dining. With over 1/3 of the Civita community dedicated as public space, there are ample trails and parks, making Circa 37 a great place for an active lifestyle that also supports sustainable, green living.
Civita Rec Center is a private facility for the exclusive use by Civita homeowners and their guests. It captures the essence of a resort destination, complete with a spectacular lagoon pool, lap pool, covered cabanas, and two spas. Residents sit among the impressive collection of trees and shrubs which bring the center to life, such as sago palms, king palms, coral trees, tree aloe and olive trees. Variegated acorus, Japanese blueberry, bird of paradise, variegated hibiscus, and dwarf heavenly bamboo are just some of the tens of plants and shrub varieties that create natural walls that line the pool and seating areas.
The covered patios are perfect for year-round picnics and BBQs. There’s even an outdoor screen for summertime movie nights. The indoor kitchen, clubhouse, gym and multipurpose room spill out to the patio where residents can relax in any number of outdoor seating areas, or congregate around the fire pit on a cool night. Never at a loss for something to do, residents can enjoy the recreational activities, ping pong, pool, shuffleboard and arcade.
Civita rec center is a homeowners’ paradise, set in their own backyard.
Photo credit: Harrison Photographic
Situated directly on the beach in the heart of Acapulco’s Riviera, this distinctive resort-like property presents three towering luxury apartment buildings featuring a total of 150 condominiums. The lush, tropical garden and recreational pool area, situated on the beachfront, are a representational natural extension of the world famous sportive lifestyle that defines Acapulco.
Lifescapes revitalized and greatly expanded (to 120,000 sm, or 30 acres) an existing private park and man-made lake to provide an exclusive amenity to homeowners in nearby luxury communities Imperial Mansion and Beijing Demesne. Dubbed Hyde Park, because of its unique, royal-like proportions and amenities, the improvements not only invigorated the open space, they have contributed to the boost in sales at the neighboring properties.
Designed as a statement in contemporary landscape architecture, this modern park integrates specially designed areas with a classical European flare that complement the traditional gardens of Imperial Mansion. The juxtaposition of styles produced the fresh experience the client was looking for to set the development apart from others across China.
To take advantage of the grandeur of Lake Victoria, key vehicular and pedestrian routes were opened up to areas which were previously underutilized. The strolling and jogging path network was expanded to over 1,500 m (nearly a mile) long, improving the flow of traffic to destinations throughout the park. A focal point away from the lake is a 52 m (170 ft) diameter European fountain that features a dancing water show set to music and is surrounded by water plants and a grand shade pavilion.
There are sprawling lawn areas, perfect for community events, which roll into mounding berms with sculptural drama. The spiraling walkway leads down to a tree-lined amphitheater. Meanwhile, weaving through the property are meandering reflection pools – perfect spots for reflection and respite. An ambling 275 m (900 ft) spiral, meditation walk, “Flower Hill,” culminates in a dramatic domed folly at the top of the 6.5 m (21 ft) high peak in which to rest and enjoy the view of the surrounding patterned shrub planting.
A bridge with stylized contemporary scrollwork leads residents from Flower Hill to the forest garden, an area intended to provide another mood as well as a buffer to the adjacent, elevated train tracks. A large granite waterfall which connects the forest back to the park flows into a shallow pond, perfect for summertime play.
For the younger residents, LSI designed a 7,100 sm (1.75 acre) Kid’s Adventure Park on the other side of the lake, away from the rest of the park. Featuring extensive grade changes and custom-made play elements (balance beams, webbed rope equipment, musical play equipment, mazes, and tunnels), this destination promotes children’s mobility, agility and creativity. A terrace overlooks the activity zone while also creating a perfect spot for gatherings or birthday celebrations.
The planting selection offers numerous types of flowering and deciduous trees that offer color and shade for the warmer months, woven around a backbone of evergreen trees for year-round green as well as visual buffering. Beds of changing patterned annual color also wind through the landscape, greeting residents and guests throughout the seasons.
The four-story, 264-unit, luxury apartment community with resort-style flair combines intimate and dynamic spaces that truly deliver the live/work/play environments that residents are demanding.
Lifescapes International designed the main entrance and exterior perimeter of the community, gardens that flow throughout the property, central courtyard, and outdoor seating areas, as well as an elevated recreation deck with resort-style pool, spa, and private cabanas.
The design was infused with youthful energy, creating numerous intimate gathering spaces surrounded by lush, tropical trees to create a destination-like look and feel to the community.
Natural, “implied” walls and canopies create comfortably enclosed gathering spaces for residents. Concrete and pavers of subtle colors, contemporary finishes, and varying sizes were installed to define spaces and encourage circulation patterns, designating social hubs throughout the property.
Further, many “sustainable” landscape features and plants were integrated into the project, offering a variety of sculptural forms, texture and size that are woven together like a tapestry. The dynamic gathering spaces for residents and their guests are designed to evolve with residents’ needs over time, resulting in a vibrant place that exudes a very comfortable, relaxed, and cool community ambiance.
The sophisticated, urban 21-story apartment tower features 285 residences. Inspired by the modern contemporary architecture and interior design, we used landscape to create an experience-driven residential property with elevated amenities focused on enhancing the users’ lifestyle.
The over 10,000 sq. ft. roof deck features a resort-style pool and spa, as well as a bar and lounge with an outdoor kitchen and barbeques available for residents. Contemporary finishes such as raised board-form concrete planters and pottery define spaces and create vibrant areas for various uses, including private “living rooms,” as well as secluded seating focused around fire tables. Date palms, kentia palms, king palms, Southern magnolia, sago palms, dwarf tree aloe, and many more accent the space, creating a verdant oasis.
Ground-level amenities encompass 64,000 sq. ft of open space, with a dog spa, recreational lounges, and fitness facilities, as well as a raised outdoor patio with built-in seating and fire pit.
Adjacent to the newly renovated SAG-AFTRA Plaza, there is an infinity water feature and large open space for dining and gathering, surrounded by raised Corten Steel planters with palms & lush understory.
Purposeful design with a mix of water-conscious succulents with planting that has an “island-vibe” creates a lush look, thus providing a paradise in the middle of bustling Los Angeles. The final result makes the property feel like a destination resort.
A collection of modern luxury homes in a walkable, vibrant village, One Paseo features a mix of studio to 3-bedroom residemces. The landscape provides cohesiveness with the nearby retail area.
Courtyards, set on a roofdeck, are community hubs where residents and guests can spend time, lounge, relax, and mingle. The goal of the design was to create “backyards” for the residents to use and enjoy, forming several smaller, intimate spaces within the larger space. Large trees such as sycamores, oaks, London plane trees, Marina Strawberry trees, and California pepper trees are set among dense, layered planting in raised planters with bold patterns and massings of shrubs.
The pools at One Paseo were intended to be destinations within the project. The main resort-style, saltwater pool was designed to mirror the energy and fun of a summer party with BBQ cook centers, well-appointed cabanas, and a speakeasy fire pit. Open deck areas and artificial turf provide plenty of room for lounging, outdoor games, or community activities. The oasis pool is the perfect venue to get away from it all and relax; nestled among flowering trees and bamboo groves, the intimate setting allows for quiet conversation or inspired reflection. The raised spa overlook, with its gentle curves and lush planting, allows residents to shake off their worries and soak in tranquility.
Image #3 – Photo credit: V.I. Photography & Design
Overlooking the Huangpu River, One Sino Park is a lush, parklike oasis built on podium in the middle of downtown Shanghai. From contemporary, linear lines to rounded, natural elements; the design morphs throughout the various phases of the project.
There’s a feeling of prestige. . . from the moment you drive up to the porte cochere, you enter a series of gardens and breezeways that connect the 14 various towers. The stately sculpture garden adds an artistic elegance, and a water garden showcases a raised basin with arcing jets and trees that look like they are cut into the water.
The seven-star resort experience is enhanced by the glass and stone-tiled infinity-edge pool with recessed, elegantly-upholstered seating areas. Private cabanas and chaise lounges provide ample relaxation while dense shade trees provide refreshment in the hot, summer months.
Marble, granite and accents of tropical hardwoods are just some of the hardscape materials that flow throughout the geometrically shaped pathways and strolling gardens. Finally, the curvilinear shade structure, crescent-shaped fountains, meditation area, and playground round out the masterplan.
Adjacent to Pendry West Hollywood Hotel, and across the piazza, the 40-unit Pendry Residences step down Olive Dr. to Fountain Ave. The slope created the opportunity for many of the residences to have one-of-a-kind private garden terraces with spectacular city views. Ranging from 430 sq. ft. to 3,800 sq. ft., these patios feature extensive entertaining space and lawn areas, outdoor kitchens, fire bowls, raised spas, and vanishing edge pools. Color tones are grey, sand, and cream with pops of orange, which complement the architecture.
Every effort was made to create the illusion that the private terraces are planted on the ground, rather than on rooftops, so residents feel more like they have their own private yards with promontory views. Artificial turf is low maintenance and provides a constant green understory.
To create an eclectic ambiance echoing the surrounding neighborhoods, the plant palette of each terrace varies in inspiration, from desert contemporary to lush tropical, featuring Kentia palms, dragon trees, African sumac, evergreen dwarf pink plumeria, and gold mound lantana.
All residents have access to a 4th Floor central garden space, “The Park,” which is visible from the main lobby. The communal lawn and accent planting come together to descend down the changing grades of the space on Corten steel-edged steps, both blurring the lines of landscape and architecture, as well as creating topography in a thoroughly architectural space. Ficus, Japanese blueberry, kentia palms, naked coral tree, tree aloe, dwarf agave, jade, and flax lily adorn the area with layers of verdant planting.
Guests can also relax at the 14.6’ x 50’ white porcelain-lined, flush-edge rooftop pool and spa with spectacular views of the Hollywood skyline.
Photo Credit: LaFlamme Media