Sopris Mountain Ranch
Client: Private homeowner, New Construction
Location: Sopris Mountain Ranch | Emma, CO
Scope: Comprehensive Landscape Architecture and Site Planning
Challenge: Develop a master plan for a 35-acre lot within an equestrian community with an emphasis on ADA accessibility, natural beauty, and Mountain Zen principles.
Solution:
Architect Selection: Recommended the architect, ensuring cohesive collaboration from the start.
Site Planning: Positioned the house and designed the grounds to be entirely ADA accessible, including equestrian paddocks, entry courtyards, and terraced gardens.
Water Feature: Incorporated a water feature with a sculpture by Julie Spidell, enhancing the artistic and tranquil atmosphere. A second sculpture was placed prior to the entry courtyard.
Interactive Gardens: Designed a rooftop load-bearing garden accessible for wheelchair users, facilitating engagement with vegetable and flower gardening.
Transitional Space: Integrated the Eastern-inspired “engawa” pergola-like structure to enhance the transition from interior to exterior spaces.
Driveway Layout: Designed the driveway layout to work in harmony with the existing terrain.
Greywater Irrigation: Integrated a greywater purification system that reused the water for sub-grade drip irrigation for new tree plantings.
Forest Management: Consulted with a silviculture expert to improve forest health and develop a management plan for the entire parcel.
Mountain Zen Elements: Integrated Eastern-inspired design elements to create calm, artistically enriched outdoor spaces, focusing on expansive views towards Mount Sopris.
Safety and Integration: Proposed site walls and reinforced outdoor spaces to balance natural beauty with a sense of security for the clients, who were transitioning from an urban environment.
Prairie Garden: Designed a 15-acre prairie garden, selected native seed and sowing pattern for seasonal interest.
Custom Exterior Spa: Coordinated efforts with a local spa contractor to design a hot and cold spa for the client’s year round needs.
South Facing Terraces: Designed the south facing terraces with views to Sopris mountain for both active and passive recreation and ADA accessibility.
Result: A harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor spaces that maintain the natural beauty of the site while introducing strong design elements. The project not only provided a safe, aesthetically pleasing environment for the clients but also embraced and enhanced the surrounding landscape, promoting a healthy and mindful lifestyle.