Contemporary Lakeside Courtyard

Settled beside Lake Washington on the Bellevue waterfront, this property was transformed into a contemporary waterfront garden that served both utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. Catching storm water runoff that drains into Lake Washington year-round, the garden slows down the water flow through vegetative filtration, and collects the water into a beautiful and naturalistic pool. A sitting deck beside the pool offers a pause on the way to the boat dock on the Lake. Large granite cobbles are placed on the ends of plant beds to be used for retention, with a “baguette” of concrete below-grade. The garden features a minimalist grid that serves not only as a clear and cohesive transition from the residence to the water and boat dock, but also serves as a visual transition from above, as one views the garden from the property. The plant palette creates a bold statement with the blue fescue grid. Finally, an Indian oil lamp, which originated from a temple and was procured by the property owners, is incorporated into the landscape as a cultural artifact and artistic threshold to the lake.