A major remodel to an idiosyncratic house on a lake, the development of a plan for this garden was a particular challenge. The location and proportions of the existing house created a series of residual exterior spaces which were small and awkwardly proportioned, and the need to link the entry gate to the dock served to further subdivide the already small spaces.

The program included an auto court, a new accessory dwelling unit – the Black Pine Cabin – a hot tub, a new covered patio adjacent to the house, a small lawn, and an upland ‘beach’ and fire pit. The solution was to tie all of these elements together with the introduction of a syncopated stone plank walkway, leading from the entry gate to the lake, with branches to the front door, the cabin, a lower water toy storage area, and the covered patio.

This distinctive branching pathway is reinforced with boulder outcrops, and the introduction of a pygmy Japanese Black Pine forest, which weaves along the path from the entry to the lake shore. The careful placement of these sculpted pines allowed us to adjust the scale and proportion of newly created exterior spaces, while framing views and providing privacy, without impeding lake views from the upper level of the house.

This project was featured in The New York Times Sunday Edition on 25 December of 2022, and Architect Prentice Hale has written: “Having returned to the house many times now, I’m always left with the impression that the buildings are background to the landscape and enjoyment of the lake. The landscape work really pulled things together and made the property the sanctuary that it is…”

Prentis Hale
Shed Architecture & Design

David Ohashi
Ohashi Landscape Services & Ohashi Specimen Tree Nursery