Architectural Landscape Design Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota Water Landscapes’

Swimming Pools and Spas Require A High Degree of Privacy And Safety

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

Pools and spas are a good way to add more enjoyment to your property, but these areas demand privacy as well as safety features.  Fences are a good bet for providing both, and are a requirement in many local ordinances.  Container plants and vines are often used to brighten corners of the angular fence enclosures and softening the lines. Screens and fences allow air circulation. They can be built so they are baffled or louvered to allow or stop air currents from going through. This feature can lengthen the amount of time a pool can be used.

Whether it’s a hot tub, spa, or swimming pool, a water feature has a high demand for privacy. It’s nice to be able to relax and enjoy yourself without feeling that you’re on public display.  However, along with a pool or any kind of water spot comes some special problems or constraints when it comes to landscaping them.

If you are going to have a pool, spa, or hot tub, it is a necessity to plant some “neat” trees and shrubs that won’t contribute debris to the water, because it’s not always practical to cover them when they aren’t in use. You also want to stay away from fruit or berry-producing trees around your tub or pools because they can make pool decks slippery as well as produce stains.   Our landscape designers and architects can help you decide what are the right plantings that will enhance safety and privacy without creating clean-up problems. We can also review the local ordinances and keep you safe. Plus, we are able to design the pool, hot tub, or spa and surrounding areas. Particular care must be taken when choosing plantings next to a water source as the constant evaporation of water raises the moisture content of the surrounding air, and not all species thrive in a moist environment.

Let us help you keep your swimming, hot tub, or spa areas clean, neat, and safe by letting us design the pools, and creating the safety fences and plantings with you. Call us on 952-292-7717 today!

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Posted in All, Landscape Design Minnesota, Minneapolis Landscaping, Outdoor Living Spaces, Pools and Spas | No Comments »

Well-Designed Decks Transform Slopes to the Water

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Does your home sit on a hill with a slope to the water?  Lake homes or cabins by design are usually built on higher ground due to the water table. A house built on higher ground by a river, lake, or stream is less likely to have water problems. What comes with that terrain typically are some access and use issues for the land that slopes down to the body of water. This usually can mean slopes, hills, or even cliffs.

Getting the benefits of the water views becomes harder when the only access that’s flat is sometimes next to the house.A well-designed deck can transform slopes into level spaces that can be one or a series of outdoor living rooms. You can have decks for lounging, entertaining, swimming pools, barbecuing, and any other kind of outdoor living.

Our landscape designers can create decks that are either single-level structures that hover above the landscape, or multi-levels ones that descend into it. Here are some great decking opportunities to consider:

- A freestanding deck partway down the slope for the best views, enjoying the shade of a great maple tree.

- A floating deck that is off the ground – it seems to be nestled among trees and shrubbery .

- A viewing deck that has built in seating all around that offers a lot of scenery.

- Several levels of decks that wrap around the house, providing a variety of views.

- A multi-tiered deck system that steps down a cliff following the natural outline of the slope, with multiple decks.

- A multi-level deck that transforms a severely sloping hillside into a spacious outdoor living room.

- A stand-alone deck featuring an arbor at the end of a path, covered by climbing roses or clematis.

There are many uses for decks on waterfronts.   Decks can serve as a substitution for stairs or a combination of stairs and landings that can make a steep descent to the water much more interesting. Give us a call to help you with your decking needs on 952-292-7717.

 

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Water Pools and Fountains In Styles That Work For Everyone

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

Water pools and fountains come in many different styles. Designing the one that will work for you is very much defined by personal style, along with matching it to your landscape. Whether you plan to install a water pond, or a fountain, our garden designers and architects can help you pick the right option for you.

Formal water pool-A formal water pool is often designated by the use of pavers or hardscapes that lead up to the pool. There is typically a flat-stone border that encircles the water line of the pond, and there is a sitting area around it. They can be geometric or classical shapes but typically are round. Other shapes include square, rectangular or polygon shapes. It can be set above the ground or halfway between. Adding a water spray is an option, but it must be centered to maintain the formality. Different spray patterns are available that include: bubblers, bell or tulip shaped sprays, or spitter sprays.

Informal water pool or garden ponds-An informal water pool will usually be much more natural in form, with relaxed curves with a focus on blending into the landscape. Rocks and informal retaining walls can be used with garden plantings to maintain the informal feel. Sprays are also an option, but no rules of placement are required.

Classic Tiered Fountains-These classic multi-tiered fountains add an air of formality and classic design and are a great addition to a formal garden.

Wall fountains-Most wall fountains are just “spitters” that require a pool or basin below them since they are part of or are hung on a wall. They add a formal and classy look to any garden. A wall-of-water fountain is another option where one sheet of water flows down the front of the fountain.

Formal ponds and fountains are a great addition to any garden and as an add on to decks and patios can give a dead space some life. Call us today to explore how a fountain or pond for you, 952-292-7717.

 

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Pools and Spas: Predictable or Not?

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

It used to be that a backyard swimming pool was a pretty predictable thing. It was rectangular, had a diving board, a couple of ladders, and a shallow and deep end. Times have changed homeowners can choose from different types of pools, new kinds of surfacing materials, high tech lights, etc.

A pool or spa can be the perfect recreation item in the backyard. They come in a lot of configurations and serve a lot of different purposes now. So careful planning and installation is key in order for you to get what you want.

MN Architectural Landscape Design’s pool designers can help ensure you get exactly what you are looking for in a backyard pool or spa. Making sure your pool suits your taste and needs is what we do.

Children need a wide, shallow are; lap swimmers need a long, straight section. A diving pool will include a board and a deep end that is at least seven feet deep. But if there is no diving, the pool need not be more than four or five feet deep.

Location, location, location! The key to a successful implementation is to locate the pool correctly on your landscape in a private spot with full sun. Also, locate access to a bathroom that can be used as a changing room. And finally a location near your house that is convenient to reach and light during the evening is key.

You can put paving or a concrete pool deck around the pool, or by adding boulders, flagstones, bridges, and other free-form edgings and your pool will double as a garden pond. Another idea is to have water cascading over concrete or boulders can lead to a small pool that is actually the spa.

We offer a free one-hour no commitment meeting at your home or site, please contact us on 952-292-7717 to arrange a meeting so we can review your pool possiblities!

 

 

 

 

 

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Free Admission: Apple Valley Chamber Home &Garden Expo ~March 31, 9 am-3 pm

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Come and talk to us about your landscaping dreams at the Apple Valley Home & Garden Show! It’s easy to attend because there is FREE parking and admission. In addition, there are things for children to do as they are featuring Minnesota Zoo animals and free children’s arts and crafts.

ALD is a featured landscape design exhibitor at the show that covers the latest in home, garden, landscaping, remodeling and much more! It’s a great time to plan any landscaping or garden project you have in mind. We are a multi-speciality landscape company. Our licensed and educated landscape designers and architects will be happy to discuss any ideas, dreams or needs that you may have.  We offer a full range of offerings that includes: pools and spas, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, landscape design and installation, low voltage lighting, waterscaping, outdoor living spaces and kitchens, unique garden plantings, children’s recreation areas, landscape design and installation, low voltage lighting, custom boulder/stone work, holiday lighting installation services, and excavation.

We involve our clients in the entire process and project. But the degree you want to be involved is left up to you. We will listen to what you want and create a plan on your specific needs. Our landscape designers and architects work meticulously to create efficient, exceptional landscape work. All of our landscape team members are educated and licensed. Whether your landscape project is small or large we’re interested. We can offer you the very best combination of nature, science and art.

Ask about the Ten Star Guarantee we offer; it is unprecedented in the landscape industry. We’re known as Minnesota landscape design and installation contractor that provides unique plans and a superior experience to our customer. Call us 952-292-7717 today! We bring your dreams to life!

The Expo is being held at:

Apple Valley Western Service Center

14955 Galaxie Avenue

Apple Valley, MN 55124

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Posted in All, Designing Minnesota Gardens, Hardscapes Minnesota, Landscape Design Minnesota, Minneapolis Landscaping, Outdoor Lighting Contractor MN, Outdoor Lighting Minneapolis MN, Outdoor Living Spaces | No Comments »

Landscaping to Reduce Your Heating Bill and Heat Up Your House

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

We’ll work with you to create a plan that maximizes the potential to help you have a warmer house and a lower heating bill. At Architectural MN Landscape Design we have the knowledge and experience.

These 6 things can help you “heat up” your house. We can design, install, and implement them all. We can:

  1. Plant evergreens to block cold northwest winter winds. Building a tall fence will help to cut down the wind’s force. These two actions could cut your winter heating bills by 25 percent.
  2. Create berms, place walls, and planting near your house, not directly against it. Creating a space between the house and the berm, wall or plantings will allow for dead space. This dead space will act as an insulator, which will slow down the heat escaping from your house.
  3. Plant deciduous trees, like maples around your house. They are able to screen 70 to 90 percent of a hot summer sun. They also allow for winter sun to come through when all their leaves have dropped.
  4. Install wooden arched trellis over some of your windows and plant deciduous vines like bittersweet. They will create shade and privacy during the summer and allow sun in the winter.
  5. Plant grassy lawn areas on the south side of your house, so as to provide an area for snow to accumulate. These snow mounds will allow for light to be reflected off of the snow and onto your house. That will offer an effect like radiant heating.
  6. Install stone and concrete surfaces around your house to soak up heat during the day like patios, stone planting beds, sidewalks, and driveways.
  7. We’ll do the first six if you do the 7th and call us today on 952-292-7712.
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Minnesota Water Landscapes Provide Places for Peace and Drama

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

Water is considered a purifier in most religions. In literature it is often used as a symbol of purification. Examples include the critical importance of a river in the drowning of Opehlia in “Hamlet”. In philosophy the Ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles held that water is one of the four classical elements along with earth, fire, and air. It renews and refreshes. It’s also clear that people like having water features in their yards as they have grown in popularity.

Water can also provide background sounds that obscure harsh noises caused by foot or car traffic in your neighborhood. The calming and tranquil properties of water offer a peaceful environment for meditation and reflection. Water attracts wildlife to a garden because it offers sustenance. You may be able to bird watch and see local and migratory birds and be treated to their different songs.

Our Minneapolis Water Landscape designers can help you develop a custom water feature that we will design, build, and help you maintain. When it comes to outdoor waterscaping there are many to choose from with varying sizes and styles suited for your property.

We can work with you to combine many of these water features like waterfalls over retaining walls that fall into ponds and continue as streams around the yard or complement a spa or pool area. Waterfalls and ponds bring drama and create focal points in the yard. Some of the water features we can create for you include:

Rock ponds for planting and reflections
Reflecting pools-Formal and informal
Raised pools joined by waterfalls
Waterfalls
Streams
Rock bubblers-where the water bubbles out of rock
River beds
Multi-terraces waterfalls
Fountains
Koi Ponds

Call us today at 952-292-7717 for a consultation and estimate on adding a water feature to create a peaceful haven in your backyard or front yard.

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