In many ways, I’m definitely my father’s daughter, except when it comes to gardens.  He collected roses and loved to spend most of the day tending to them.  He was not very concerned with how the garden looked.  I am the opposite.   I did not inherit his “green thumb,” however, a beautifully presented garden knocks me out.  The result, every spring I devour stories about garden design, but my execution falls short.  Hope springs eternal and this piece for AD Pro is inspiring.  I hope you enjoy it too.

Pros weigh in on making green spaces of all varieties both beautiful and flexible

Restored by designer Brad Dunning, this 1960 Donald Polsky home in Los Angeles has views to both its landscaped entry courtyard as well as its garden by Madison Cox. Photo: Yoshihiro Makino / Styling: Anita Sarsidi

No matter the size of a client’s garden, making use of every inch feels more important than ever, supported by the proven wellness benefits of spending time outside. Following prevailing interior trends, flexibility is key in outdoor spaces, which are often called upon to do double or triple duty to support relaxation, gathering, dining, and more. Whether a home has the square footage to host a compact urban backyard or a sprawling landscape, there are ways to artfully and organically integrate a client’s outdoor needs. Here, design and construction experts explain how.

City gardens

To maximize this 570-square-foot backyard at a home in San Francisco, landscape studio ORCA sunk a fire pit into an elevated brick patio and planted native flora to define different sitting areas. Photo: Cass Cleave

Instead of trying to impose a long list of functions onto small green spaces, “prioritize what is most important,” says Molly Sedlacek, founder of Los Angeles–based landscape studio and AD PRO Directory member ORCA. She recommends cataloguing your client’s wants and then mapping out the square footage needed to help decide what should take precedence.

When you are working with limited space, introducing a change in elevation can make petite gardens feel larger, says Sedlacek. For a 570-square-foot backyard in San Francisco, ORCA sunk a fire pit into a raised area where steps double as seating. Plantings can also help organize different zones. Creating “garden rooms” gives the desirable experience of being enveloped by nature, she adds.

It’s a sentiment shared by Michal Kapitulnik, principal at San Francisco–based landscape architecture firm and AD PRO Directory member Surfacedesign. Layering plants with dramatic structural form creates “a sense of enclosure” for smaller program areas, she says. Playing with materials and textures, too, can create the illusion of depth in a compact space.

Terraces and rooftops

Lush planters help define different areas of this Manhattan rooftop garden designed by RKLA Studio Landscape Architecture, including its outdoor kitchen. Photo: Ty Cole

If much of an outdoor space is exposed to the elements, integrating shading and heaters increases the flexibility for when it can be used, explains Gareth Mahon, partner at New York–based RKLA Studio Landscape Architecture. On terraces and rooftops, Mahon has also seen an increased demand for wellness amenities, including hot tubs, saunas, and cold plunges, which can help conjure the feeling of an oasis within a small footprint.

Strategic planting and furniture selection are vital for optimizing such spaces. “Know what plants will grow large and do the most work in terms of screening, providing shade, and adding beauty—all while limiting the size of the planters that they live in,” says Mahon. Scale is an important consideration for furnishings too. Oversized pieces, or too many of them, can negatively “affect the feel and flow” of a small space, he adds.

Estates

Redesigned by AD100 legend Jacques Grange, this 1930 Palm Beach, Florida, estate features a lush walled garden by Nievera Williams whose subtropical design centers around a banyan tree. Photo: Ngoc Minh Ngo / Styling: Mieke ten Have

When acreage is not an issue, careful design is still paramount. Larger projects require the creative delineation of different outdoor areas, says Kapitulnik, whether through soft planted thresholds or architectural devices. This method helps define a sequence of varied spaces—forming a journey through the garden and creating moments of discovery, privacy, and sociability.

For a more than five-acre project in Sonoma, California, Surfacedesign integrated a feeling of “cinematic procession” through the garden, describes Kapitulnik. “That sense of variation and adventure as you’re moving through the garden keeps it exciting, but also gives you the opportunity to have the garden flex to accommodate different numbers of people—so it never feels empty.”

Poolside

Thanks to landscape studio SMI Landscape Architecture, a lush carpet of lawn surrounds the swimming pool at a historic Palm Beach, Florida, house, decorated by AD100 talent Frank de Biasi. Photo: Kris Tamburello / Styling: Lazaro Arias

A swimming pool presents both opportunities and challenges for its surrounding space, where safety and aesthetics must be considered. To maximize its use, design firms are increasingly folding a variety of functions into the poolside area, from outdoor kitchens to fire pits.

In Arizona, “pools are an absolute must because of the hot summers,” says Brad Leavitt, president of Scottsdale-based company A Finer Touch Construction. For a recent home project in the state in collaboration with CW Architecture, TheLifestyledCo, and CF Design, the builder constructed a sleek infinity pool surrounded by plantings, seating, a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and a sheltered outdoor entertainment area. The latter connects seamlessly to an indoor lounge through large, glazed retractable doors, blurring the inside-outside boundary. Similarly designed windows allow the indoor bar to open to the poolside area, functioning for both spaces. “Large corner multisliders and pass-through windows are a must on almost every project,” says Leavitt.

In smaller gardens, the pool itself can be a space-saving trick. “If you need entertaining space but don’t have tons of room, you can raise the pool up 14 inches and widen the edge,” says AD100 architect Barbara Bestor. “Then you have a great seating area for 50 people or so.” A well-designed outdoor space can even extend the party. —Francesca Perry

The neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre have long been celebrated for their rich architectural history, with many homes showcasing iconic early 20th-century styles like Spanish Revival, Mediterranean Revival, and Mid-Century Modern. These homes not only reflected the design trends of their time, but also embodied the spirit and craftsmanship of bygone eras.

Sadly, the recent fires have taken a devastating toll on these historic landmarks, destroying many of these once-pristine structures. The loss is deeply felt, as some of these homes held significant historical value and contributed to the unique character of our communities.

While the full extent of the damage across all affected properties may never be fully documented, some of the most notable losses illustrate the diverse architectural periods that shaped our region. These homes, from elegant Spanish Revival estates to sleek Mid-Century Modern masterpieces, were not merely houses—they were living pieces of our shared history, each telling a story of the past.

As we reflect on the devastation caused by the fires, it is important to remember these homes as integral parts of our collective heritage. While the flames may have taken their physical form, their stories, craftsmanship, and the memories they hold remain a part of us.

Below is a list of some of the most notable losses:

1. The Robert Bridge House (Top, image by Trevor Tondro/The New York Times)  Circa 1991. The Robert Bridges House was designed, built, and occupied by architect Robert Bridges. The Brutalist-style home stood on tall concrete pillars 100 feet above Sunset Blvd.

2. The Kessler House Neutra placed the garage and children’s rooms on the upper level and the living room on the lower one. A highlight of his design is the easy conversion of the living area into quarters for an overnight guest with a sofa that could be rearranged a double bunk bed according to the Neutra Institute.

3. 1366 E Palm, Altadena (left) Circa 1915.  Stunning example of Churrigueresque architecture was more than just a home—it was a piece of living history. Its ornate façade, inspired by the intricate Spanish Baroque style, still stands, but reports confirm that the rest of this architectural gem has been lost, according to @SaveIconicArchitecture

4. Eric Owens Moss/708 House (Right, image courtesy The Modern House)
   Circa 1982. A 600 square foot expansion of a 1948 one story wood frame and stucco Case Study House.

5. The Andrew McNally House (Image courtesy Susan Pickering/Compass)  Circa 1888. A nearly 7,000 square foot Queen Anne.  Residence of Andrew McNally (of Rand McNally), this historic home became a symbol of Altadena.

6. Will Rogers House The interior of this beloved landmark was equally as significant as its exterior, offering a glimpse into the life of one of Hollywood’s most enduring figures.

These homes, each with their own distinct history and design, are irreplaceable symbols of our cultural and architectural heritage.

Julius Shulman photography archive, 1936-1997.

090-P94530
Will Rogers State Historic Park
©2016, California State Parks.
Photo by Brian Baer

THE NEW RULES ADDRESS A RANGE OF IMMEDIATE CONCERNS INCLUDING CLEANUP, REBUILDING, PRICE GOUGING AND INSURANCE

By Chava Gourarie

Image provided by owner

It’s been more than 10 days since Los Angeles began battling the worst wildfire disaster in its history, in which multiple blazes have collectively destroyed over 40,000 acres and 12,000 structures, obliterating communities and claiming at least 24 lives.

Many residents have lost their homes, while many more are still evacuated and might not be able to return to what’s left of their properties and communities in the near future.

In response, city and state officials have issued various orders to address the most immediate concerns, including cleanup, rebuilding, price gouging and insurance. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also proposed a $2.5 billion “Marshall Plan” that will fund the recovery as well as prepare for future wildfires, and will seek approval from the state legislature.

Rebuilding

Through an executive order, Newsom suspended two environmental laws that govern how housing is built in California, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act (CCA), both of which contribute to the regulatory complexity of building in the state.

The rules apply to homes and businesses destroyed by the fires and which are looking to rebuild at up to 110% of their original size.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued her own executive order Monday to expedite rebuilding. The city will put together a task force to establish a one-stop shop for creating permits, and will require city departments to issue them within 30 days of receiving an eligible application. Additionally, the city is waiving certain zoning hearings, and is looking to quickly approve 1,400 rental units already in the pipeline that are waiting for certifications of occupancy.

The mayor’s order also suspends a requirement that replacement homes should be all electric, while the governor has said he’s looking into suspending a state mandate that new homes utilize solar panels.

While the priority is rebuilding quickly, experts are concerned that many of the waived ordinances were designed specifically to address or mitigate environmental concerns, including wildfires. The CEQA, for example, which requires that the environmental impact of new projects be reviewed, has been cited lately in the courts to challenge projects in fire-prone areas, in regard to wildfire risk and impact on evacuation routes, according to the National Law Review. The executive order takes away an important check on new development.

Insurance Moratorium 

California’s Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a one-year moratorium on cancellations and nonrenewals of insurance policies of homes within ZIP Codes affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires. The moratorium went into effect Jan. 7, and was expanded this week to include additional ZIP Codes surrounding the damaged areas.

“This law gives millions of Californians breathing room and hits the pause button on insurance non-renewals while people recover,” Lara said in a statement at the time.

It’s also to ensure that the insurance market doesn’t completely collapse, just as thousands of displaced residents are looking for new housing.

Real estate agent Rochelle Maize with Nourmand & Associates said neighborhoods like Santa Monica and Brentwood, which are closest to the devastated Palisades, are being overwhelmed by demand, but insurance is a sticking point. One client who was in escrow before the fires and was supposed to close this week, had to delay the closing because the insurance company pulled out.

“These companies can’t not insure houses,” Maize said. “That’ll kill the market.”

The insurance market in California was already facing serious challenges before these fires, which will cost an estimated $35 billion to $45 billion in insured damages, according to CoreLogic. Meanwhile, the state-backed option, the California Fair Plan, is severely underfunded relative to the scale of the damage.

Price Gouging

Newsom declared a state of emergency on Jan. 7, triggering a pre-existing price-gouging law in California that limits increases on lodging and construction to 10% above the baseline price the day that the state of emergency went into effect. Generally, these protections remain in place for 30 to 180 days, depending on the type of good or service, but Newsom’s orders extend the protections for a full year.

That includes price increases on rental housing, vacation rentals, hotels and motels, storage facilities and animal boarding. The law also includes construction materials and services, medical supplies and other necessities.

While the law carries a fine and possible jail sentence, there are hundreds of cases of landlords hiking rents beyond the 10% allowed. Additionally, desperate families and displaced residents are bidding up the prices of any available housing, further driving up the cost in what is already one of the country’s most expensive markets.

Maize listed a high-rise rental unit in Santa Monica this week right on the water. “Within a half hour, I had 50 phone calls,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Within a half hour, it was leased.”

While the client chose an applicant who offered the asking amount, plenty of people were ready to pay more. “They were begging,” she said. “I wish I had 100 more of these units to lease to them.”

Via Mansion Global