Melrose House
San Mateo, CA
Project Description
Sustainable, resilient, regenerative, future-proof; Whatever you want to call it, this property embraces the ethic. With productive plantings woven into each of the carefully-defined “districts,” the landscape is a veritable food forest with living spaces that embody the California tradition of indoor/outdoor living.
Productive gardens do, however, require regular irrigation. Though hidden from view, a bank of rainwater + greywater tanks collect and recycle water for use throughout the landscape, bringing this property close to net-zero in its water demand here in thirsty California.
Other features of the landscape include drought- tolerant entry plantings, a broad offset-pivot arrival gate, gas firetable and custom hot tub terrace, Corten steel + cedar raised vegetable beds, subtle lighting, and magnificent framed views to the Bay.
team. BASE Landscape Architecture
Farmscape
WaterSprout
Webfoot Construction
year completed. 2017
photos. Caitlin Atkinson
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