LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/120967
hardscapes Treehouse Transplant Left After three years in the Midwest, the Brown family returned to their Atlanta home having promised their three daughters a new tree house and zip line in their wooded backyard. After some DIY trial and error, the parents were able to keep their promise ��� with a little help from an HGTV reality show and Belgard Hardscapes. Right Fifteen hundred square feet of Lafitt field and edge pavers were laid on site, in Brasstown and Belgian Stone color blends. Another 1,500 square feet of Bergerac wall blocks in the Carriage House color blend formed the retaining walls. Project by Belgard Hardscapes When Todd and Amy Brown purchased a home in Atlanta, they expected to plant roots and grow their family in the South. When a job opportunity took Todd and his family to Chicago, however, his three young daughters grew to know the Midwest as home. After more than three years in the Windy City, Todd���s job once again had the family packing their bags, this time back to Atlanta and their former home, which the Browns still owned. With active school schedules and social lives, the girls were hesitant to move again, and were only convinced when Todd promised to build them a treehouse and zip line in the backyard. Unfortunately, their dad wasn���t quite a professional when it came to building the muchanticipated tree house. His first attempt fell flat ��� literally ��� when several storms hit the area. To fulfill his promise, Todd sought out professional help. ���I knew I couldn���t do this project alone,��� he said. ���Luckily, a new home improvement show 20 Landscape Architect and Specifier News was filming in the area and looking for projects to feature.��� Finding Elbow Room Todd responded to an online posting seeking families with remodeling projects for a new HGTV show called Elbow Room. The show features expert craftsman Chip Wade coming to the rescue of families who love where they live, but whose houses no longer suit them. In addition to the treehouse and zip line, Todd and Amy wanted to create a space that the whole family could enjoy. Embarking on this project, Chip enlisted the help of local contractors Sugar Hill Outdoors. The first step was to decide how the new outdoor living space and treehouse would be laid out in relation to the house. Prior to construction, the outdoor space consisted only of a deck off of the second level, overlooking a backyard with substantial grade changes, trees and overgrown ivy. (Continued on page 24)