Zeterre's thoughts of the day

New Menlo Park Project

2012-01-24T10:23:00.001-08:00

Another of our current projects is a complete overhaul ofthis spacious backyard in suburban Menlo Park. In the design, we havetransformed a sprawling lawn into a unique yet classically beautiful gardenwith a new pool, spa, accessory Tom Klope inspired guesthouse, dining area, and outdoor kitchen. Theinfinity-edge pool with swim-up bar, custom stone/wire trellises, and acurvilinear ipe wood bench are just some of the custom elements that make thisdesign discrete and beautiful. Don’t take our word for it though, check out theanimation below and see for yourself.

Our New Office

2012-01-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

Zeterre has moved! As our portfolio expands to include moreand more projects, so does our workload. Unfortunately, our former home inSaratoga could no longer provide the space the firm needed to continueproviding exceptional designs and service to our current and future clients. Assuch, Zeterre now has a new home in downtown Los Altos at 105 Fremont Ave,Suite A – near the corner of El Monte and Foothill Expressway. Below are someshots of the new space, we hope you like it as much as we do. Feel free to stopby and one of our team members would be happy to show you around.

Stunningly Realistic 3D Concepts from Zeterre

2012-01-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

Zeterre has invested in new visualization software to improve our existing workflow, helping us create some of the most realistic 3D computer simulations/animations in the industry. These tools allow both our design team and clients to experience the design in its entirety long before ground is broken, allowing us to both explore new and exciting design possibilities as well as identify future construction issues early in the process. Check out the revisited Pebble Beach Project animations below to see the new tools in action.

Saratoga Horse Property Animation Completed

2011-06-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

We have completed an animation of our Saratoga Horse Property that shows our clients how it will feel to drive across their lake and up the hill to their house and garden.

By collaborating with the architect, we were able to generate a realistic simulation of the future condition of the property long before construction begins. By accurately replicating the contours of the land and modeling the proposed landscape and house, it allowed our client to visualize the design from every angle.

New 3D Tools Put To Use On Pebble Beach Project

2011-05-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

Our concept of a French formal garden has been visualized in a 3d rendering and animation for our upcoming Pebble Beach Project - These new tools allow our clients to fully visualize their garden before the construction process begins. This 3 acre garden overlooks the golf course and ocean between Point Lobos and Stillwater cove... an amazing site! Fore more information on the project itself, see our previous post below.

Design Concept 1:

Design Concept 2:

We at Zeterre are excited about the possibilities created by utilizing these new tools. We intend to implement them on our future projects to help us better convey our concepts and ideas and deliver the most beautiful and innovative designs possible to our clients.

Spring-Summer 2010

2010-05-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

The interiors of this project are being kept a guarded secret by the owners - however these photos were taken from the street and within public view. Zeterre has designed 5 acres of gardens...... there are 72 mature trees being moved onto the site currently with cranes and the construction team. Thats all we are allowed to say at this time. The garden will soon soften and frame this intriguing structure.

Forbes Magazine & San Jose Mercury News feature Zeterre's Palo Alto Net Zero Project - "Green Design -the NEW NORMAL"

2010-02-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

The Palo Alto Net Zero House is a renovated 1936 house that is now net zero energy and carbon neutral. The green renovation used advanced high-performance sustainable methods and materials throughout the house while preserving the 1936 architectural style.

Before the renovation, the outdated faucets, toilets, shower heads and appliances wasted water. Outside the house the landscape required gallons of water to stay healthy and green. The new plumbing system uses new insulated copper pipes, supplies hot water on demand and is grey-water ready. The new plumbing system is designed to separate the home's grey-water(from kitchen and laundry appliances, bathroom faucets, showers) from the black water (toilets and kitchen sink)

When the garden is complete, the grey water will run though PVC pipes to a subterranean drip system that drains the grey water into a constructed wetland garden designed by Zeterre. Plants in the garden thrive on the nutrient rich grey water. Within the constructed wetland, physical, chemical and biological processes treat the waste water as it passes though the wetland medium. Aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms help decompose organic material. Solids are filtered out as they settle in the water column or are physically filtered out by the wetland medium. Bacteria and viruses filter out of the water beneath ground level.

Black water from the toilets and kitchen sink flows into the city of Palo Alto's waste water sewage system. By separating the two types of water and treating the grey water the home's constructed wetlands, the amount of waste water that is polluted and requiring treatment is greatly reduced.

Sustainable Practices and Ideas to be implemented into the design

1. Rainwater runoff from roof/hardscape shall be collected with subterranean drains at house footprint. This water will be treated and reused for irrigation.

2. All existing on site pavers, concrete, etc shall be recycled.

3. All on site existing shrubs, trees and vines shall be relocated or protected in place as possible. preservation of palms, yucca and wisteria.

4. All plants that cannot be saved shall be shredded and turned into compost which will be used on site as amendment.

5.On site soil shall be amended with recycles materials - no top soil shall be brought in.

6. On site existing decking shall be reused to create boardwalk at rear of secondary residence.

7. Water table shall be regenerated and and storm runoff will be eliminated through the use of permeable decomposed granite and lawns where possible.

8. Rainwater that drains though lawn will be collected, filtered, treated and reused as irrigation water.

9. Recycled or found glass, tile and brick will be used to create all artistic paving surface.

10. Heavenly Greens - Artificial turf shall be used as a driveway. It is made of recycled materials, eliminates irrigation.

11. All site furnishings (decorative planters, furniture, sculptures) shall be "found" objects or constructed with recycled materials.

12. low water usage plants shall be utilized through the site an grouped according to water needs.

13. All irrigation on this site shall be drip irrigation so as to conserve and minimize water.

14. A central control system will be utilized so as to control the irrigation timer by way of a paging system from a local weather station. This system will adjust watering times according to local weather and thus minimize irrigation waste and runoff.

15. A wetland garden shall be constructed at the rear of the garden to filter runoff into a storage tank where the water will be then reused as grey water in our subterranean drip system throughout the garden on low water using plants and ornamental alike.

For press information from Forbes Magazine and San Jose Mercury News click here

Pebble Beach Design Opportunity

2009-11-04T13:52:00.000-08:00

A very exciting design opportunity has come our way this year. This stunning 3 acre property abuts Pebble Beach Golf Course, overlooks Stillwater Cove and Carmel Highlands and is just around the corner from The Spa at Casa Palmero. Here are a few before photos followed by a few of the design concepts...of course, the house will undergo substantial changes resulting in a revival style french chateau.

Above: Pebble Beach Estate Before

Below: The clients vision for the Pebble Beach Estate

Click on the design concepts below for a closer look...

Design Concept 1

Design Concept 2

Design Concept 3

Final Design Concept

Dog Friendly Landscape

2009-06-10T14:36:00.001-07:00

Our Dog-friendly landscape project in Palo Alto has recently been completed. This project was designed to accommodate a Silicon valley software engineer's Labradoodle, Ozzy. This project proves that dog friendly landscaping can be beautiful, fun and safe for your favorite pooch.

To start, all dog friendly plants were used. This included; Loropetalum, Thamnochortus, Lavander, Bamboo, and Roses to name a few. We learned that you can use a wide variety of plants but still have a beautiful yard that you and your favorite pooch can enjoy together.

Secondly, we decided to use artificial turf, which is made from recycled materials. By choosing to install the artificial turf, the client is saving water and money.

The Stainless Steel Panels were designed by Zeterre with the purpose of blocking as much of the adjacent back cottage which is architecturally less significant than the Eichler. While they do their purpose they also act as an art installation with a modern edge which blends the two homes together seamlessly.

Also, for added outdoor entertainment, the pathway to the spa doubles as a Bocce ball court, which Ozzy loves to play alongside his family. This spoiled pooch has quite the perfect life in this dog friendly paradise.

Reverse Offshoring: Design for Resort Living in Pune, India

2009-02-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

This past year we have worked on a project in India with the brilliant

architects at Moco Design. It has been a unique and educational

experience for us, and we are very excited to be a part of

this project and look forward to construction being completed!

See the progress at: http://www.amarcourtyards.com

Inspiration: Artist - Andy Goldsworthy

2009-01-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

Recently we have focused our attention a trifle more on the work of Andy Goldsworthy, an environmental sculptor who explores and experiments with various natural materials to create brilliantly creative and soul fulfilling art. He certainly has an amazing way of seeing beauty with an uncommon perspectives and inspiring vision.

On a recent trip to the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, we spent some time studying his brilliant installation in the entry court. It is an “ever so simple” continuous crack through the front entry walk and into courtyard and up the main entrance door – but absolutely brilliant. The 'Faultline' installation was inspired by the unique character of California's tectonic topography as well as the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake which deemed the old De Young Museum unsafe. The New De Young building has been built with state of the art seismic technology to withstand intense earthquakes. If you have not seen it, you must!

A must read for any Goldsworthy fan is the book entitled, Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature, which highlights other brilliant work of this landscape artist. There are several installations throughout the bay which we intend to explore – One is at the Runnymede Sculpture Farm in Woodside – a “must see” for any art lover! See a few of our favorite Andy Goldsworthy installations below!

Inspired by Brilliant Modern Architecture

2008-12-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Brillant Modern Design comes alive in this newly installed Red Ribbon Steel Bench that winds for a half a kilometer through the Tanghe River Park in Qinhuangdao, China.

The bench installation known as the Red Ribbon Project has won an honor award for the American Society of Landscape Architects , and was also selected by readers of Conde Nast Travel magazine as one of the seven wonders of the architectural world.

Zeterre - Inspired by Venice

2008-10-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Zaterre on the Giudecca in Venice dates back to the 1500's and is one of the earliest examples of "forward thinking" landscape architecture - it perfectly complements the architectural facades and reflective canal. This promenade has remained nearly untouched and unrevised and yet draws thousands due to its ambiance and sense of place - "Genius loci." Those who know Venice love Zaterre.

Our goal for Zeterre Landscape Architecture is to create designs like Zaterre on the Giudecca that stand the test of time and truly stand out with unforgettable brilliance, undeniable beauty and uniqueness.

Dog Friendly Garden Architecture

2008-10-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

An exciting new project has come our way that allows us to feature dog friendly landscape architecture. This has made us think about ways that we can create landscapes for both humans and dogs to enjoy together for years to come. For these Silicon Valley software engineers in particular, spoiling their dog is a number one priority. This has included the purchase of the home adjacent to their main residence in an effort to combine the two yards to create a large dog friendly paradise for their favorite pooch.

There is no reason why we can’t have a dog and a beautiful landscaped yard. We certainly can have the best of both worlds. However what many people don’t know is that many commonly used plants that are not poisonous to humans are poisonous to dogs and can have consequences that range from the unpleasant to even fatal. We, being dog lovers ourselves, want to keep all dogs safe and healthy. UC Davis has a put together the following list of toxic plants to avoid planting to keep your animals safe: http://wric.ucdavis.edu/information/poisonous.pdf.

Many people are switching to artificial turf which is made from recycled materials and can be great for dogs. In fact, several companies manufacture a special artificial design just for dogs. What better way to save water, money and spoil your pup.

In working with a dog behaviorist, we have found that dogs are creatures of habit and like to use the same path of travel each time…and usually right up against the fence or property line…therefore we accommodate our favorite mammals desire to run to and fro along the fence with thin gravel paths…just for them.

How about a dog cleaning area? For one client, we created a stainless dog wash station complete with warm water, a drain and latch to secure the pet. What better way to keep your pooch healthy and clean!

Zeterre Embraces Green Architecture

2008-08-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Zeterre goes green! One of our most exciting designs this year has gone green! This iconic historical home near downtown Palo Alto was built in 1936 by Pedro de Lemos, a celebrated artist/architect and the arts curator at Stanford University. This amazing home is being preserved and enhanced using sustainable design. The project creatively attacks climate change by focusing on Net Zero Energy and Water Conservancy by using sustainable methods and materials, and has been designed to inspire and teach others about green architecture. Unfortunately this is all that we are allowed to say at the moment – though, this project is making history and Zeterre is thrilled to be a part of this team of forward thinking professionals. Including the design build team at Timeline Design (www.tldesign.net) as well as the brilliant architects at William Duff Architects (www.wdarch.com)

Major Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Materials

Landscape: Hardscape, Artificial Turf, Solar Lighting
Water Conservation: On-demand Recirc, Low Flow

Check back for more info on sustainable garden architecture!