Hardscape Solutions: A modernist garden

May 24, 2019 -  By

Location: Haddonfield, N.J.
Company: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

With midcentury modern architecture at the heart of this design, the clients wished to incorporate elements such as a rectangular pool with a quartz finish, a heavy-beam cedar pergola and minimal decking to allow the lawn to be part of the lounge area.

Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co. landed the job through a client referral and after working with the client on several conceptual designs and budgets.

The five-man crew from Ledden Palimeno and several subcontractors battled zoning and permit restrictions, grading challenges and 90-degree heat to finish the project in 45 days.

To contend with these challenges, the team had tents and fans on the job site and engineered additional plans for the pool, pergola, lot coverage and grading.

“More than 400 cubic yards of top soil were brought in to get the grades to work,” says Joe Palimeno, principal landscape designer.

The placement of an asymmetrical wall also helped with the grading issues. Rounding out the design are lighting from Coastal Source, drip irrigation products from Rain Bird and a patio comprised of Pennsylvania bluestone.

The project won Ledden Palimeno a 2018 Gold Award from the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

View of pool at night (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

A view of the modernist garden at nightfall.

Construction view (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The crews laying out the pool, careful to not damage the existing landscape.

Installation view (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The framing and plumbing of the spa required great accuracy to allow for angled walls.

Installation of pool (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The pool starting to take shape as the gunite shell is hand shaped.

Install crews under tent (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

Temperatures in the upper 90s made for some tough working conditions. Here, a tent protects employees from the sun.

Installing hardscape (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

Custom galvanized post anchors and connectors highlight the details of this build.

Spraying pavers (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The Pennsylvania bluestone color of the patio starts to shine through as its washed down.

Pergola (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The pergola adds both a functional and aesthetic detail.

Pergola and construction view (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The pergola is shown here ready to be prewired for lighting.

Plantings and pergola (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

Plantings soften the space and bring it to life.

Cedar pergola (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The cedar pergola provides a relaxing and inviting space.

Cedar pergola (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

A view looking back toward the house over the expansive lawn.

Pergola at night (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

Nightfall brings a new experience to the space with low-voltage lighting.

Pool and pergola at night (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The water color is enhanced by an even distribution of LED lights in the pool.

View of modernist garden spa (Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.)

Photo: Ledden Palimeno Landscape Co.

The look of the pergola and pool dramatically change from day to night.

Sarah Webb

About the Author:

Sarah Webb is Landscape Management's former managing editor. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, where she studied journalism and Spanish. Prior to her role at LM, Sarah was an intern for Cleveland Magazine and a writing tutor.

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