Exterior & Landscaping Tour

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Property - The lot on which Casa Vista is sited has been developed to provide an extraordinary amount of usable space, relative to the parcel size, compared to other hillside residences in Farmington. This is due primarily to the extensive use of engineered retaining walls. The two retaining walls encompasing the front yard allow for the large off-street parking area and garages located below street level on the south side of the parcel and stepped planters and the level patio extending to the property line off the lower level on the north side.

The engineered retaining wall along the rear of the parcel allows for the expansive level plaza at the rear of the structure. The rear retaining wall, which wraps around the southeast corner of the property also provides a flat and level area suitable for construction of an additional 650 plus square foot structure adjacent to the south wall of the existing high-bay garage. These advantages were achieved by incurring a construction expense equal to aproximately 8% of the total value of the property.

Front Yard - A source of changing beauty throughout the four seasons in this high desert locale Casa Vista's front yard employs xeric plantings, from native bunch grasses and sage to perennial flowering species accented by yucca, cacti and agave. Nestled in among massive native sandstone boulders low growing Junipers, Mugo Pines, Ephedra, Genista, Russian Sage, ornamental grasses and many other interesting plantings make this low-maintainance yard a pleasure year-round.

Extensive low voltage lighting (bollard, mushroom, flood and spot fixtures) highlight the plantings and front architecture and extend the enjoyment of the landscaping through the evening hours. 

Two broad entry walkway/parking pads leading to the north and south entry portico entries are located on either side of the front yard for the convenience of family, visitors and guests.

The paving in the front yard is reinforced both with rebar and micro-fiber additive. Key-kold galvanized steel dividers create pads which are sized to greatly reduce the possibility of crack formation.

An architectural scale welded sculpture ("Helical Zig-Zag") of Cor-Ten steel by the designer/owner accents the front yard and is available separately.

South Yard - The south side of the property is primarily occupied by the driveway descenting from street level to the generous off-street parking area in front of the garage entries. Driveway paving is reinforced with rebar around the perimeter of each Key-kold divided pad. All paving on the property is Palomino colored exposed aggregriate (1/2" minus river pebbles) concrete, which has been sealed with a waterproofing coating.

On either side of the driveway mature pines trees, junipers and yucca spring from a ground cover of native river rock. An in-ground automatible sprinkler system supplies make-up irrigation watering for the driveway planting areas, when required. Space is available on the south side of the high-bay garage for the addition of a 650 plus square foot studio workshop, for which a design is available.

North Loggia and Patio - Extending the full depth of the structure on two levels the upper and lower north loggia, with a walled patio contiguous with the latter, provide shelter and access to the front yard, patio and rear plaza from all north entries and generous spaces usable for outdoor enjoyment, entertainment, and display of both free-standing and wall mounted artworks. The north side location is particularly pleasant in the warm summer months with covered loggia and north front retaining wall providing welcome shade in the afternoon hours.

The upper loggia, adjacent to the student/office suite and master suite, is floored with ceramic tile as is the exterior staircase connecting the upper and lower loggia. The exterior staircase contains a covered skylight, recessed wall washer lighting and lighted nichos. Both upper and lower levels have recessed and adjustable spot fixtures to provide architecturally dramatic and flexible lighting in these areas.

The lower loggia and patio flooring is of Palomino colored exposed aggregrate concrete. This area provides a generous space for outdoor entertainment, with electrical and gas utilities and stereo speaker outlets (connecting with the media room entertainment center) provided. The lower level galley kitchen is conveniently reached nearby through the vestibule entry of the family/media room, which opens to this area. Nichos in the end wall of the lower loggia adjacent to the patio area provide additional space for display of three-dimensional artworks and craft items.

A unique architectural feature of Casa Vista is the dual over/under glass block accent windows at the northeast corner of the loggia. Backlit by either the installed incandescent spotlights or digitally controllable Color Kinetics specialty fixtures these windows provide a distinctive landmark in the neighborhood, day or night.

Flood lighting recessed into the upper and lower rear awnings on the structure accent the architectural details of Casa Vista and provide ample light for nighttime use of the plaza.

Conduits to the electrical utility area in the high-bay garage allow the addition of low-voltage landscape lighting to the rear plaza. The plaza is covered with 2 inch minus river rock to provide a display area for sculpture up to architectural scale in size.

Studio Workshop (unbuilt) - A building code compliant design concept compatible with the architecture of Casa Vista is available from the designer/ owner for a 650 plus square foot heated studio workshop to be constructed attached to the high-bay garage on the south end of the lot.

Utility conduits for 150A electrical, gas, phone and CATV service are already roughed-in to the location. The sanitary sewer and water lines for the residence run underneath this area and thus a utility sink and toilet could be located in the studio.

Construction of a studio workshop could provide a space comfortable year round for artists, craftspersons or hobbiests of any description to enjoy their avocation.

Casa's Vistas - Panoramic views to the rear of Casa Vista sweep from the northeast to southwest, encompassing the horizon with features such as Angel Peak (apx. 40 miles distant). Views over the valley of the Animas and San Juan Rivers and the City of Farmington with massive bluffs on the south banks of the San Juan River evolve continually as the sun makes it's diurnal arc.

As always in New Mexico the skies are the true star of the views. From clear, calm winter mornings to summer afternoons with massive thunderheads gathering to sunsets highlighting the clouds and sandstone formations of the San Juan River Bluffs the ever changing panoramas from Casa Vista are a source of beauty and contentment.

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