Alter Residence

Santa Monica, CA, 2018

The Alter Residence is a redesign project for a level front yard of a 1970s Spanish Revival home in Santa Monica.

The primary functional goal of the design is to provide a low-maintenance and low-water use outdoor space for a retired couple.

The concept is based on a formal layout that incorporates drought tolerant plant species that are low-maintenance.

Elements that support the concept include the removal of all turf grass in favor of decomposed granite, a staggered grid of six olive trees, a central blue agave, a parkway made exclusively of drought tolerant plant species, and steel edging that delineates the decomposed granite areas from the planting areas.