This rooftop oasis high above the city provides the calm and serenity hard to find in the city.

Nestled perfectly along a mountainside in the North Scottsdale Estancia Community, with views of Pinnacle Peak, and the Valley below, this landscape design honors the surrounding desert and the contemporary architecture of the home. A meandering driveway ascends the hillside to an auto court area where we placed mature cactus and yucca specimens. In the back, terracing was used to create interest and support from the intense hillside. We brought in mass boulders to retain the slope, while adding to the existing terrain. A succulent garden was placed in the terraced hillside using unique and rare species to enhance the surrounding native desert. A vertical fence of well casing rods was installed to preserve the view, while still securing the property. An infinity edge, glass tile pool is the perfect extension of the contemporary home. Project Details: Landscape Architect: Greey|Pickett Architect: Drewett Works Contractor: Manship Builders Interior Designer: David Michael Miller Associates Photography: Dino Tonn

Ceiling color is SW 7100 Arcade White and SW 6258 Tricon Black. Black and white chairs are Polart. Table material is 3Form. Ottoman is from Grandin Road. Pendants are from Restoration Hardware and custom painted SW 6759. Photography by Nancy Nolan

Designed to make the most of a steep site, this private home in Sydney’s south has created great spaces to enjoy the view of the water. The design features a covered main pavilion with a fully equipped kitchen including a sink, fridge and wood fire pizza oven. Designed for entertainment it also includes a large dining area, sunken spa and wall mounted TV. O the same level of the pavilion is a sunken fire pit area nestled underneath a large existing Frangipani. Travel down a set of steel stairs and you come to an inviting blue pool with wet edge spill over out to the bay. The curves of the pool and lower lawn area designed to add interest when viewing from above. A generous lounge and nearby pool pavilion provides plenty of places to relax by the pool and the cantilevered section of the pavilion, with feature timber panelling, ensures that there is shade poolside and look fantastic next to another mature Frangipani. The overall look and feel of the project is sleek and contemporary, with plants chosen to emphasise the shapes of the design and to add contrasting colours. This project is definitely a great place entertain and relax whilst enjoying the view of the water. Rolling Stone Landscapes

Photo: Ashley Camper © 2013 Houzz

jim christy studio

Located on an oddly shaped wooded lot in West Vancouver, this house is approached by a meandering drive that traverses a seasonal creek. A heavily treed hillside defines the northern property boundary, while east-to-west the forest thins down a slope toward a railway line. To the east there is also a neighbouring house that is visible. The design for this house generates its own territory within an L-shaped courtyard plan. The public side of the house — an enigmatic stucco shell that faces the street — shields an articulated inner courtyard that is lined with wooden slats. This space is configured to accommodate outdoor entertaining and family activities. Expansive frontal views are primarily from the courtyard while potential views beyond the site have been carefully framed to provide privacy yet present specific views out over the site. For example an elongated window located at counter level in the kitchen offers a particular view of hillside planting and the rocks that are embedded against the house. The potential sprawl and warren-like nature of a large single-family house is addressed by connecting the modulated interior spaces, while a large double height volume cuts a swath through the house.

An elegant and functional sheltered courtyard with grand fireplace - an extension of indoor entertainment to outdoor entertainment - into the beautiful elements of nature. (outdoor fireplace, tongue and groove ceiling with exposed beams, paver patio, paver courtyard, natural stone retaining wall, umbrella dinning area, stone posts, natural landscaping, woodsy landscaping, wood boxes, seat wall, water feature, private sitting area, pond)

Ceiling color is SW 7100 Arcade White and SW 6258 Tricon Black. Sink and faucet are Kohler. Backsplash is from Mirage and the countertops are Caesarstone. Drapery is custom. Photography by Nancy Nolan

© Kim Smith Photo

Michele Lee Willson Photography