Organic design is inspired by nature and integrated into the landscape. Organic landscaping is a key element of organic design, which comprehensively considers protection of scenic and visual qualities throughout the design process.

For the five proposed homes, native plants and other natural features on the site provide the starting point for the design process. Native plants and seeds are hand selected from the site and adjacent landscape. These plants are grown for many months at native nurseries; then each plant pallet is carefully tailored to fit each microclimate and soil type on the site, including using less flammable native plants in the fuel modification areas around each organic home. Native landscaping is self-sustaining and unique, evolving primarily from the site. It is integrated with the organic design of each home, and the collective effect conforms with the setting. The organic landscaping complements the natural topography to create an attractive appearance that is harmonious with the surrounding landscape. Integrated landscaping elements minimize visual impacts, use less water, provide habitat, and allow wildlife movement.

Road and Driveways
The driveway access is a key visual element of the landscape, and it has been carefully sited and designed with organic design principals to blend into the natural contours of the land. Sensitive engineering, best management practices, and natural on-site aggregate and dyes will blend the access driveway with the surrounding environment to minimize the visibility of the driveway.

The following organic design principles will be applied:

• Onsite aggregate and dyes will be integrated into the road base and retaining walls to match adjacent surroundings. Renewable materials, such on-site aggregate, will pull the natural colors from the land to blend the driveway and walls with the surrounding rock outcroppings and soil. The use of renewable materials reduces the amount of concrete required to be transported to the site and aggregate material transported off-sit, and this innovative approach minimizes potential traffic impacts and green house gas and other emissions associated with truck traffic.
• The proposed driveway is the minimum width required for safe emergency access and it has been designed to minimize the overall length. Subsurface engineering and retaining walls have been carefully designed to minimize landform alteration and minimize the footprint of the road.
• Where graded slopes are necessary, the land will be carefully revegetated with native plants, using an all native palette drawn from species that are present in the immediate vicinity. This will serve to further integrate the proposed development with the natural surroundings.
• Required drainage devices, such as v-ditches, will be screened by soil berms and native vegetation to help hide the required devices from view. Additionally concrete v-ditches can utilize on-site aggregate and/or staining to blend them with the surrounding soils, further masking them from view.
• The proposed driveway has been carefully designed to manage stromwater for multiple purposes. Stormwater is channeled along the road into natural rock beds that dissipate the water’s energy. The water is then released into carefully selected drainage courses that act as natural bioswales, absorbing and conveying the water and naturally irrigating native plants that thrive with relatively more precipitation.

The organic landscaping approach, sensitive siting, blended driveway, and the integration of natural elements create a visually compatible design that embraces the character of the surrounding area and protects public views.

Learn more about the project design.