The design concept for the swimming pools was to create excitement through the use of water, have a relationship to the creek and to provide different types of aquatic functions. Two swimming pools were designed along with a heated spa. The main pool was designed to parallel the building and be perpendicular to the dry creek. The spa was placed on the centerline of this pool and across the creek. The other swimming pool was designed for swimming laps (three lap lanes, twenty five meters in length) and to play water volleyball.

 

A fifteen-foot wide boardwalk, also constructed of steel and Ipe wood separates the two pools and crosses over the creek. Selection of a location to place the equipment for the swimming pools and spa provided a challenge. Because of the creek and woods and new construction, we basically had run out of space. Locating the pool and spa equipment beneath the boardwalk solved this problem.

 

The Landscape Architect designed the main pool to have two levels, the main upper area for leisure swimming and the lower level for relaxation and conversation. To create water excitement in the upper pool, three runnel/waterfalls were designed at the west end of the pool. Separating the upper pool level and the lower pool level is a six (6') foot wide underwater-tiled walkway. This underwater walkway (the water is four (4") inches deep) is centered on and the same width as the elevated walkway above. From the underwater walkway to the lower pool level is a series of steps that the pool water cascades over. The lower level was designed to be closer to the creek and to maintain a large tree branch extending out over the pool from an existing Red Oak. In the lap pool, we added eleven (11) fountain cascade jets that run the length of the pool to accentuate the length of the pool and elevated walkway.

 

The spa design was created as it's own entity and to provide some solitude and separation from the other pools. On all four sides of the spa, 'walls' were designed of three (3") inch square tubular steel posts and 2x4 Ipe horizontal slates. Access to the spa is by way of the boardwalk or a stepping-stone path from the patio. The Landscape Architect designed the night lighting of the spa to where the structure has the appearance of a lantern.

 

At the south end of the lap pool a small area existed that was void of any existing trees. At first the thought was to re-forest this area by planting native trees. However, the owner requested that we use this area for a sand volleyball court. The court was located next to the existing woods and adjacent to the retaining wall. The adjacent retaining wall was then lowered creating an incline (planted with turfgrass) for spectators to sit. Beyond the volleyball court and adjacent to the street is an overlook. The view from the overlook is of the woods and a small pond further to the south.

 

The selection of materials was to choose natural materials conducive to the site. Ipe wood was selected for the elevated walkways, boardwalk, runnels and spa enclosure for its strength and color. The retaining walls were constructed of natural stone. The steel structures for the walkways and the all the fencing was painted green black to blend with the foliage colors of the surrounding woods. Coping for the pools is Texas Leuders limestone and Pennsylvania bluestone was used for the runnel columns and spa deck and coping.

 

The planting concept was to plant areas disturbed by construction and to leave the remaining areas natural. The existing wooded area is populated with native Red Oaks, Bur Oaks, Cedar Elms, Texas Ash, Eastern Red Cedar and Hackberry. Open areas were replanted with Cedar Elms, Red Oaks and Eastern Red Cedar. The areas disturbed by construction, a more formal planting scheme was developed using ornamental grasses and bamboo. Disturbed areas around the creek were planted with native shrubs and ground covers.

 

Involvement by the landscape architect during all phases was critical to the success of the design and the completion of the project. The project was designed over a nine-month period and built over the following nine months. Dry Creek Lodge is part of the third phase of Austin Ranch's multi-family community. Austin Ranch is a 1700 acre planned development located in southeast Denton County. Austin Ranch is part of four cities in North Texas, The Colony, PIano, Carrollton and Lewisville. Most of the terrain of Austin Ranch is rolling hills except for 280 acres that sits atop an escarpment that runs north/south through the site. Atop the escarpment in the center of the 280 acres is where Dry Creek Lodge is situated. Dry Creek Lodge will serve as the central leasing office for the multi-family community and as an amenity center.

 

During the planning process for the 280 acres, the owner requested that the planners take advantage of the existing site conditions. The Landscape Architect assisted in the project by identifying the existing site conditions that would be beneficial to preserve and incorporate into the master plan. One of the site's most advantageous features was a heavily wooded dry creek. The planners took extra care in preserving this area and routed all streets around the dry creek and surrounding woods.

 

As the master plan developed, the dry creek and surrounding woods was situated at the southern end of a north/south collector street. In front of the Dry Creek Lodge site a small park area was developed, leaving a visual corridor open from Windhaven Parkway, the main east/west artery through Austin Ranch, to Dry Creek Lodge. Thus two streets to the east and west, a small village park to the north and the woods to the south bordered the site.

 

The landscape design concept for the project was to work with and preserve the existing site conditions, integrate the building, incorporate the amenity features, and create a natural landscape. The owner wanted to use the building as the central leasing office for the multi-family community and provide recreational features for the tenants. The amenities were to include exercise facilities, meeting/leisure areas, swimming pools, outdoor spa and a sand volleyball court. The architecture of the building was designed to sit gracefully on the site and straddle the dry creek. The landscape architect worked with the architects in selecting a building site that would have the least amount of damage to the existing trees. We were able to site the three-story building and swimming pools in a clearing west of the dry creek, minimizing the removal of existing trees.

 

Once the building and swimming pool locations were determined, the landscape architect collaborated with the civil engineer to locate utilities serving the building, to coordinate site drainage and to address the eleven (11) foot grade change from the street level to existing grade. Without adding a lot of soil and in order to preserve the trees and dry creek, retaining walls were designed along the north, east and west property lines. This gave the building the appearance of rising up out of the woods. However, on the west side of the building we had to fill in this area to provide access by the fire department and direct pedestrian access to the leasing office. The Landscape Architect worked closely with the Civil an MEP Engineers to route utility lines to protect existing trees. The drainage concept for the site was to maintain the dry creek as much as possible. An attempt was made to build the building over the creek, but the cost of construction was prohibited. To transfer runoff from the north side of the building to the creek on the south side, a drain line was installed. Boulders collected from the site were installed to hide the end of the drainpipe and to control erosion along the creek banks.

 

Because of the eleven (11) foot grade change from the street to the swimming pool level and to protect existing trees, the Landscape Architect designed elevated walkways to gain access to the building. These walkways, made of steel and Ipe wood, connected the second floor level of the building to the surrounding streets. The front walkway (north side) is off center of the building centerline and was designed to pass through the trees and provide handicap accessibility to the building. Working with the architects, the Landscape Architect created an axis that extends through the building and continues along the elevated walkway on the south side of the building terminating at an outlook. The architects designed large glass windows and doors at these entries to the building so that the view runs through the building out to the outlook and the woods beyond. The elevated walkway allows one to experience the elevation changes within the site, close relationship to the trees, and view of the creek.

 

Across the south side of the building second floor, another walkway/deck was designed to provide access to the building from the east and west sides. These two walkways merge into an eighteen (18) foot wide deck area, also constructed of steel and Ipe wood. The deck also provides connection to the long south elevated walkway and to the outlook. Currently, only the west side connection to the street is built. When the street to the east is built, the walkway will be extended. To gain access to the first floor level and the swimming pools a staircase was designed at the southwest comer of the building and a handicap ramp west of the swimming pools. Beneath the second floor deck, there is a patio with an outdoor bar, barbecue grill and seating area.