Photo 208-1
Landscape design - The focal point of any house is the front entrance. The overall landscape design for this project is therefor heavier at this location and well balanced to the right and the left. The landscape bed at the center of the house and the weeping cherry is key to the over all balance of this design. (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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Photo 208-2
Step design - A series of symmetric steps and landings lead up to the porch from the city sidewalk. In front of the porch lie a series of 5 steps requiring 1 foot step apiece. Just below is 8' of space which is enough room to adjust the 3 - 4 footsteps required to comfortably cover this span. One foot step apiece is required for the 2 steps leading up to the flat area and 2 comfortable footsteps per landing get you to that point. This illustrates how design is not only impacted by visual factors but by functionality as well. (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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Photo 208-3
Paver design - Basically the house is red while the roof is black hence the choice of pavers and wallstone used. (Shelby Twp, Mi.)
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Photo 208-4
Brickpaver design - The arched steps here are more difficult to construct then a series of straight steps however their impact on the overall appeal of the design is worth the extra effort. (Shelby Twp. Mi.)
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Photo 208-5
Brick Paver Material - This view from the porch shows off one of the classiest styles of paver brick available on the market that was used for the interior flatwork on this project. It is a style called symmetry which is manufactured by Fendt Building supply in Farmington, Mi. This brick can be laid in numerous patterns. This particular pattern is called "Venetian Parkay". Charcoal was chosen for the 6" x 6" squares to tone down the redness of the area. (Macomb County, Mi,)
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Photo 208-6
Landscaping - The largest plant material in the overall design, lying at the right corner of the home does to the landscape design what a period does to a sentence. It also channels the eye to the most important feature of the house which is the front entrance. Note that the 2 bay windows which are a prestigious additions to any home are left symmetrically visible. (Shelby Mi.)
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Photo 208-7
Brick paving design - Of the 4 curved brickpaver steps leading from the city sidewalk up to the paver sidewalk platform, 2 are convex landings while the other 2 are concave steps. This and the many reversing curves of the upper paver walkway make a very powerful yet unique statement for this home. (Macomb County, Shelby twp, Michigan)
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Photo 208-8
Curb appeal - When developing a design, consideration is given to how much appeal the project will have when viewed from every angle. Balance and character are always at the top of the list for what we are attempting to achieve. (Shelby Michigan)
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Photo 208-9
Landscape architecture - Brickpaver landings are employed here due to the grade of the land and the difference in elevation between the upper an lower targets to be met. (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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Photo 208-10
Brickpaving design - A series a steps and landings designed in a symmetric fashion, bridge the city sidewalk to the house. Midway through, the path crosses a very asymmetric walkway however they work beautifully together. (Shelby Michigan)
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Photo 208-11
Brick paving design - The interior color tone of the pavers and the outer wallstone match and tie in with the red brick on the house. A soldier course of charcoal gives added definition to the design and avoids the concern that the pavers could add too much red to an already red house. (Shelby Twp. Michigan)
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Photo 208-12
Landscaping - 6' Alberta spruces lie symmetrically opposite a window and lie within raised landscape beds of brickpaver wallstone. These beds are 10 times more visible from the street due to the mere 6" of elevation that they have. (Shelby Michigan)
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Photo 208-13
Brickpaver construction - This walkway is a great example of how to break the rules and make it work. The street side of the walk is contained by a row of wallstone which intentionally deviates from a level condition at the front of the house to a pitched condition where it meets the driveway flush (see photos 208-11 & 208-12). the unwritten rule is that all retaining walls should be set level no matter what. Here is an exception to that rule. (Shelby twp. Mi.)
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Photo 208-14
Brick paver design - Reverse view of the flush attachment between the paver sidewalk and the concrete driveway. Note that the pavers and the driveway have been sealed with a concrete sealer (Shelby Township, Michigan)
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