Garden Visit: Villa Mundo Nuevo

I've been hearing about this project for months. Among the contractors with whom I work, it is known as 'The Job' and it kept many of them busy (and solvent) during a slow time. This week I finally had a chance to visit and photograph 'The Job' or, as it is more properly known, Villa Mundo Nuevo. I'm a sucker for a house with a name, aren't you?

(click on any photo to enlarge)

The landscape architect responsible for what you are about to see is Jarrod Baumann of Zeterre Landscape Architecture. At 29, Jarrod already has an impressive portfolio. I like his attitude: in a recent response to a landscape architecture student seeking to better understand the horticulture aspect of plant design, Jarrod had this to say:

...read what the books say and others tell you, then develop your own methods based on your experience. Learning from existing gardens and nature are certainly some of the very best ways to learn. And yet, remember that the greatest designers of our time have questioned traditional methods and taken risks. Take risks.

Jarrod stretched himself far and wide for this project; not only did he sculpt the landscape, he has also designed and executed furniture, sculpture, water features and countless architectural details over the last two years.

The construction team for 'The Job' also deserves major kudos. Jim Everett of Evland LLC was the Maestro, and did an amazing job of assembling a crack team of some of the best landscape contractors in the area, including Sam Whitney of Samscaping, Inc. and Dale von Dohren of Landmark Landscapes. It has been my pleasure to have designs built by each of these fine gentlemen, and thanks to them I have some nice awards hanging on my wall.

As you look at the pictures, realize that this landscape was truly built by hand; there was no access for bobcats or graders. Every cut in the hillside was wheelbarrowed out and used to fill or build some other area; as much as possible was kept and used on site.

Located up a windy mountain road, Villa Mundo wasn't hard to find; these sinuous Andy Goldsworthy-inspired walls at the street entrance take your breath as you come around a wooded corner. They are planted above with Agave, Aloe, Dasylirion, and Blue Senecio, and carpeted below with Echeveria, which were in full, simultaneous bloom.

Simple boulders and a ribbon of black pebbles create a buffer edge at the street; good protection from those who might lose control of their cars when beholding this vision! This alone was worth the trip, and I hadn't even gone up the driveway yet...

A beautiful specimen of Elephant Foot (Beaucarnea recurvata) on the opposite side of the driveway makes a dramatic focal point; I like how the hillside behind it was tamed with the same stone as the walls, beautifully blending the wild oak woodland with the more exotic new landscape.

The long driveway is lined with Agave and Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca). Purple Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) and Black Lace Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) form a rich backdrop amidst the native oaks.

At the top of the drive, between the front retaining wall and the tennis court, are these elegant raised vegetable beds. The client's only requirement was that a copper band be incorporated into the design, to deter snails. These custom concrete planters with hammered copper insets that Jarrod designed are simple, functional, and brilliant. This is one of the two flanking the entrance that are two-tiered; fragrant citrus trees are planted on top.

There are 8 beds of various sizes, and each are edged with a mixture of herbs and strawberries. The significant slope was leveled with fieldstone walls, and the existing Water Gums (Tristania laurina) were kept and pruned up to provide some protection from the strong noonday sun (while allowing plenty in the morning and afternoon to keep veggies happy).

The opposite fence of the tennis court was planted with this impressive row of upright European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus 'Fastigiata') which I'm SO going to use one of these days. Echium, Aloe and Agave complete the bed, which forms the backdrop of the new outdoor kitchen (still under construction).

An existing bed of mature palms near the swimming pool is jazzed up by aloes, succulents and barrel cactus. Notice the narrow row of blooming succulents at the base of the stairs...wow!

We marched right past the swimming pool, which was existing, to arrive at the part of the garden I had heard the most about; the raw hillside that became one of the most unique spaces I've ever seen. Three narrow terraces are treated three different ways, and are equally gorgeous when seen from above (the home has 3 stories with full balconies along this side) or from within. Every few steps reveals a different alignment of views, each lovely. This is a sign of good design, to me; that it works from all directions.

The sweet shot where all aligns. The first stone-lined flume of the central water feature cascades over the steel wall to the lawn terrace, where it then slips under the concrete bridge and continues on, over the steel wall to the bocce court...but I'm getting ahead of myself. I love how the row of apricot trees at the very back provide the visual transition to the oak and bay woodland beyond; containing the designed space like a jewel in a box.

The concrete shapes in the lawn are from one of Jarrod's drawings, and nearly all the lines are curves; according to Sir Jim, it took two weeks just to set the forms for them. And the steel walls! Thin textured panels face the massive concrete retaining walls. The engineering of all of this was no small feat, from the angles of the water flumes to the correct adhesive for the steel. Design Note; for safety the walls are going be capped, as the lower planting beds are, and will appear thicker. And I think it will be an improvement; even though it isn't weight-bearing, I want to see it as such!

Another view showing how the slope relates to the house. The low, stainless steel planter next to the lawn has narrow LED lights that wash across the embossed lawn and softly illuminate the flower border opposite (I NEED to see this at night!) You can see that small gaps had to be left between the steel wall panels, to allow for heat expansion.

The next level down is the bocce court, here getting its final 1/4" layer of crushed oyster shells (a big moment, and I was there!) The circular sitting area under the steel gazebo has a surface of tumbled glass from Building REsources, in San Francisco, which is a great source for reusable, recycled and remanufactured building and landscaping materials.

The water flume continues on this level, disappearing underneath the bocce court. I can imagine the tinkering to make sure the water didn't splash on the oyster shells! A smaller and more closely spaced version of the LED wash lights will gently illuminate the court (I REALLY need to see this at night!)

And then there's the Cairn that Jim Built, as seen from the bocce court. Possibly my favorite part of the garden, as I'm a big Andy Goldsworthy fan. It was originally intended only as a focal point sculpture; until Jarrod and Jim wondered one day if they could run water through it. The rest, as they say, is history! I love everything about it, including the simple backdrop of ferns, artichokes and apricot trees.

Powder-coated steel arches on the lowest level form this stylish promenade that frames the custom bench at the end. A small round LED light in every other arch gently lights the path (have I mentioned that I'd like to see this at night?)

The cairn was built entirely by hand around a cement core. The stone starburst that Jarrod designed for its base is a masterful touch.

A massive, multi-trunk live oak dominates the more naturally planted center of the slope; here another round patio of crushed glass is enlivened by these clever starbursts Jarrod designed, which are hung on cables from its large overhanging branches.

The sleek Ipe wood stairs connecting the slope garden on both sides are brightened by risers made of the same textured steel as the walls; the contrast of materials is very satisfying. This set connects the lawn with the house, via a densely planted grove of Coral Bark Maples (Acer palmatum 'Sango kaku').

I loved this serene, shady flagstone patio, with its guardian statue, a Frank Lloyd Wright reproduction.

And there's Jarrod, lurking amongst the maples; he has lived the project for over two years; what a thrill it must be to see his vision emerge.

Emerging back at driveway level, the striking, lush entrance plantings greet you. Planted a year ago, the Loropetalum, Silver Spear (Astelia chathamica) 'Crimson Curls' Heuchera and tidy border of Echeveria are a perfect setting for Jarrod's sleek steel 'spray' sculptures.

A pair of these custom steel fountains flanks the front steps, with black mondo grass planted at the base; an absolutely beautiful design, masterfully executed.

Coming full circle to the driveway, a final water feature stands guard at a small grove of incense cedar, within which is a secret garden that was impossible to photograph well, but was very charming (next post!)

Many thanks to Jarrod and Jim for taking the time to show me around. The landscape is about three months away from being totally complete, so I'll be back. Congratulations to the team and the creative and adventurous owners of Villa Mundo Nuevo for an incredible job that will no doubt be getting lots of attention.

Additional Construction Credits:
Precision Construction (Ipe stairs/railings/landings)
Archie Held Design Studios (steel arches, steel circle, and front stairs water pots - co-designed by Jim Everett)
RCR Fabrication (steel wall and stair riser panels)
Bay Pointe Landscape (all ledger and fieldstone wall work)
Succulent Gardens (succulents of all shapes & sizes!)