Hyde Park Home (3)

Chicago, Illinois​

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The homeowners needed to update the landscape of this 1911 home to accommodate their family's needs: multiple semi-private zones for relaxing and entertaining, and a lawn for their soccer-loving teens.

The existing landscape included a mature sycamore, surrounded by a decaying deck, taking up prime space for entertaining.  Rather than risk damaging the tree with an at-grade patio as the client requested, we guided them toward a new Kebony deck on the existing foundations of the old, allowing more space for dining and lounging, while protecting the root system of the tree.

 

The front door is tucked away on the side of the lot, so the house is approached obliquely via semi-circular stone stairs.  We created a potted conifer collection to cascade down the steps, clarifying the circulation while providing an evergreen curtain that filters views to the garden beyond and directs visitors to the front door.