Fountain's, Walkway, and Softscape

[CaptainsLS]

We just finished this project at the Nursing Home we have been rehabbing all season. It was a nice little project for the back courtyard. It’s the only place the residents have to enjoy and the before picture is rather laughable.

Again, Thanks Andrew for sharing the Aquabella fountains. I found the company to be EXTREMLY helpful and the installation to be trouble free. Andrews’s numbers were right on, this install ran about $4,500 for the fountain’s and all the extras we got (like lights and upgraded pumps).

I wouldn’t mind any constructive criticism on my softscape layout. I still consider myself “experimental” with my designs.

[CaptainsLS]

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[MuirView Design]

Fountains look good, although they would look better with three, or maybe just one. Softscape looks a little disjointed and unbalanced. Looks like you used a lot of pairs and tried to plant symmetrically. It's a lot easier to pull that off in a residential setting. A big commercial setting is a better fit for mass groupings. JMO I'm sure it must feel good to be finishing this one up!

What did you think of laying pavers?

[Grn Mtn]

the resi's should enjoy it more now thats for sure....

okay now for some constructive criticism: (only because you asked)

the pavers are bright in the sunlight which could keep some residents off of it in the afternoon, and they don't match the brick of the building, choose a paver with more brown or red.
all the plantings are sandwiched between the walk and the building, incorporate both sides, this helps cool the walkway and creates a more tranquil, friendly feel.
mulch run into deco stone without some sort of border (although looks good) will eventually lead to a maintence nightmare where the mulch just keeps blowing into the stone blurring the nice line
as mentioned before the fountain would enjoy a grouping of 1 or 3
provide a seat so the residence can view the fountain, put it opposite shaded with some arborvitae behind it.
the plants need more space between them so they can mature without needing to be pulled. there is a nice variety of them and a good quantity, just pull a few from the building side and make a couple beds on the otherside of the walkway.

[CaptainsLS]

Fountains look good, although they would look better with three, or maybe just one. Softscape looks a little disjointed and unbalanced. Looks like you used a lot of pairs and tried to plant symmetrically. It's a lot easier to pull that off in a residential setting. A big commercial setting is a better fit for mass groupings. JMO I'm sure it must feel good to be finishing this one up!

What did you think of laying pavers?

I wasn’t sure how to handle a big long stretch in front of all brick and windows? The only thing I have 2 of are the stonecrops. We "cut" the courtyard in half and did the side next to the building first. I'm hoping to line the other side with a row of mature Chanticleer Pear's. I agree, I should add more perennials to create masses, and I’ll push for that next spring. We did what we could in budget (15k).

Laying pavers? What are "pavers"?:)

[CaptainsLS]

the resi's should enjoy it more now thats for sure....

okay now for some constructive criticism: (only because you asked)

the pavers are bright in the sunlight which could keep some residents off of it in the afternoon, and they don't match the brick of the building, choose a paver with more brown or red.
all the plantings are sandwiched between the walk and the building, incorporate both sides, this helps cool the walkway and creates a more tranquil, friendly feel.
mulch run into deco stone without some sort of border (although looks good) will eventually lead to a maintence nightmare where the mulch just keeps blowing into the stone blurring the nice line
as mentioned before the fountain would enjoy a grouping of 1 or 3
provide a seat so the residence can view the fountain, put it opposite shaded with some arborvitae behind it.
the plants need more space between them so they can mature without needing to be pulled. there is a nice variety of them and a good quantity, just pull a few from the building side and make a couple beds on the otherside of the walkway.


I agree with everything you said, and we have plans to finish the other half of the area next spring. They are also buying the bench for the circular area at the end. You really think a red colored paver works well with brick? Doesn’t that overwhelm things? I chose the cobblestone color and shape because they compliment each other nicely in other masonry applications. I would think it would be difficult to not end up with 2 different tones of red. Do you have any pict's of reddish colored pavers against brick?

[Grn Mtn]

no I wouldn't go with a RED red but something more in the brownish catagory like EP's brindle, chestnut, earth, sierra or yukon.

[CaptainsLS]

Our workload has drastically slowed down, so they let me add some of what was to be the next phase in the courtyard. And as you can see in Pict 3, my boss approves of the fountains.:)

[Mark]

I would not use a red paver personally.....I like the contrast of the 2 materials better. Where on the cape is this Plymouth?

[MuirView Design]

Lookin good Chris! Man, those urns look huge next to your little girl. What a cute pic!

[Grn Mtn]

I would not use a red paver personally.....I like the contrast of the 2 materials better. Where on the cape is this Plymouth?

when I said use a paver with more brown or red in it, I guess I should have said a paver with more of a brown or reddish hue to it. Again the whole reason being that the seniors living there generally are more effected by brightness and grey pavers reflect more sunlight.

that said its really coming along and looking great...except for the bench, they should have picked something in a redwood and cedar:pound:

[CaptainsLS]

Where on the cape is this Plymouth?

Life Care Center of Plymouth.

[Mark]

when I said use a paver with more brown or red in it, I guess I should have said a paver with more of a brown or reddish hue to it. Again the whole reason being that the seniors living there generally are more effected by brightness and grey pavers reflect more sunlight.

that said its really coming along and looking great...except for the bench, they should have picked something in a redwood and cedar:pound:

Ah!! My appologies.. I thought you meant a true red paver. In that case I would agree, a blend would be better.

[GroundScapes]

when I said use a paver with more brown or red in it, I guess I should have said a paver with more of a brown or reddish hue to it. Again the whole reason being that the seniors living there generally are more effected by brightness and grey pavers reflect more sunlight.

that said its really coming along and looking great...except for the bench, they should have picked something in a redwood and cedar:pound:

Techo Earth brown looks great with brick

[GroundScapes]

curves in the walkway could be a little smoother (crisper). when laying a running bond the curves especially need to be smooth.

job looks good for the most part though

[MuirviewJosh]

Just a quick question about the urns. As far as water supply goes, who is in charge of replenishing water supply to account for evaporation, or is there a type of auto top off integrated into the design?