Hardscape: Patios, Decks, Walks, Courts and other Hard Surfaces.

Welcome to DePape Architecture's webpage on garden walking surfaces (Hardscape). There is more to know about this than first comes to mind. Indented uses, existing ground conditions, surface water flow and zoning code all impact the final design of your new hardscape project.

Useful Links www.unilock.com www.curv-rite.com www.wausautile.com www.keystonewalls.com www.grasscrete.com www.pavingstones.com www.mutualmaterials.com www.trendset.net www.pacificpavingstone.com

Following are some working definitions so we all are talking about the same things.

Hardscape Definition: Walking or driving surfaces that are designed to take the wear and pressure of foot and wheel traffic without deteriorating or changing shape. This spans the continuum from isolated stepping-stones to clay courts to parking lots.
Products: Hardscape finish materials include stone slabs, crushed rock, brick, rubber tile, ceramic tile, concrete slabs, asphalt paving and wood blocks. They come in many shapes and thicknesses. Unit pavers are regularly shaped pieces that are placed close together. Some interlock, others are spaced with dirt and others are bound together with mortar.
Surface Water Management: All of these surfaces limit the movement of water through them to some degree. Plastic mats allow the water to move quickly away from the walking surface where it collects on substrate that is usually impervious. Crushed Rock eventually compacts so much that water almost ceases to flow through it. Because water cannot flow through-- it flows off of the edge of your hardscape. Now it can cause erosion or run off of your site and on to someone else's lot faster than before. Because of this potential for damage surface water is managed by code. Once you have prohibited the water from falling directly into the ground or collected the water on a hardsurface it must be safely managed. Some cities and counties count spaced board decks as impervious. At DePape Architecture we have found through experience that this work isn't always as intuitive or straightforward as one might think.
Zoning Code Compliance: Because of this potential for damage, the zoning code regulates the maximum amount of impervious surface on every lot. Your roof, driveway, sport courts and hardscape all are a part of the impervious surface that is regulated by the zoning code. Some residential zones limit impervious surfaces to 45% of the lot area. And in some jurisdictions the roof overhangs don’t count as impervious!
Ground Preparation: Each manufacturer describes different ways to prepare the ground for the hardscape product they sell. The correct preparation depends on the use of the hardscape and the quality of the soil. See the technical sections on the websites we list.
Impervious Definition: Limits the movement of water in liquid form through the material to near zero movement. Asphalt, concrete slabs and crushed rock are considered impervious to water.
Pervious Hardscape: Some homeowners want driveways and walkways that will stand up to traffic but allow water to flow through. This allows for a good-looking yard without the problems and cost of managing the water that can collect with impervious materials. Some manufacturers produce a product so stable you could drive a fire truck on it but so pervious that grass will grow too. Check out the website for grasscrete.

Porches - Please click on photographs to access the individual projects

The Bus stop: This affectionately named but unconventional porch overlooks Puget Sound where the view can be good whether it is rainy, windy or sunny. One wall is the house. Two walls and the roof are mostly glass. The concrete floor tiles are part of a larger deck with glass railings. The big window directly facing the view has a wing wall that allows a person on the porch to sit out of the wind and rain and look at the beach without being seen by beachcombers.

Let's think about porches. They invoke thoughts of container gardening, wicker furniture, a resting place, a good book, a glass of wine, relaxing early morning or at sunset, a chat with neighbors or dear friends over coffee and an unfiltered connection with nature…they connect the inside to the outside, they extend our living space. We have collected a few photos of porches that we think show some different approaches to making this connection between the inside and the outside. We have chosen porches that are removed from the entry because we think that they are designed differently. Porches serve many functions but in architectural jargon we call them transition spaces. The porch allows you to be partially covered, partially enclosed, somewhat protected, on the way in or on the way out. Decks or patios become porches when we add a roof and attach them to a building. Usually there is a door into the building but not always. Sometimes there is water and a drain, a fireplace, light, power, telephone, a place to sit, a place to sleep and a place to cook and dine. Some have space heaters, occasionally a shower. Some porches have screens. Other than that anything that is done in the house has been accommodated on a porch. A verandah is a long gallery like porch, sometimes two-storied. A loggia is a passage or gallery, colonnaded on one or both sides. Lately DePape Architecture has been designing loggias that are like an indoor room missing one wall. Think carpet, nice furniture and a fireplace with a pleasant, private view of the garden.

The Loggia: The gable roof peaks cover a curving porch enclosed by stone pillars. The porch connects with a stone patio where a maze has been inlaid in the floor. A verandah in the upper right of the photo serves the master suite.

Zepeda sun porch: Designed to shelter people from the Idaho sun. This porch has piped gas and a closet for storing furniture. The roof extends from the kitchen to the formal dining room allowing Mom to watch the children play in the shade or hold a dinner party for 30 adults.

Barbara's breakfast porch: This timber and cedar assembly allows for breakfast and a sunrise over the pond. It is convenient to the kitchen and conservatory.

Lake front porch: The sweeping roof shelters an S shaped wall that is built tight to a wetland and lake view. The S shape sweeps back to allow for the porch without interrupting the flow of the roof line.

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