The goal of the Woodvalley project was to create a private “zen” garden for a newly reconstructed single family house located in a high-end neighborhood in Northern Baltimore County. The site was challenging due to the steep grade and the sudden drop from north to south.

The garden program and design goals included:

a) Creation of terraces that helped mitigating the steep slopes and were convenient to the living areas that were located on the rear of the house overlooking the natural stream and existing woods.

b) Creation of a totally private garden in the front of the house that would serve as a retreat area for the home office.

c) Maximize spaces for planting/ gardening both on the front and the rear of the house

d) Addition of an attractive and private swimming pool.

HCM worked with the building architect to come up with a solution that complements the contemporary style of the building architecture and creates a private terraced garden that flows seamlessly between the exterior to the interior. A series of ipe wood faced walls, steps, and hard and soft terraces form distinct levels. This helps to create garden spaces to fulfill the program requirements and develop strong, positive visual and physical solution to a difficult, steeply sloping site. Shallow water features with bubblers located in the bluestone terrace adjacent to the main living room accentuate the space and provide a calming effect. The swimming pool is located at the lowest level of the site and creates a seamless transition between the formal terraces and the natural stream and provides a meditational space at the edge of the site.