Hollywood Haven in the South

Project Details  Project Value: $300,000 | Build Time: 12 months (design)
+ 6 months (build) | Size: 5,000 sq. ft.

Landscape Studio Created a Modern Outdoor Entertaining Space for Homeowners in Atlanta

A family in Atlanta, Georgia, wanted to transform their back yard into a place for entertaining, so they contacted Landscape Studio to turn their dreams into a reality.

Owner Adam Ardoin has a unique approach to the first call with a client. He asks how they want to use the space rather than what elements they want. He says understanding how they want the space to look and feel ensures the clients will end up with a place they will use.

These clients knew they wanted a pool but left the rest up to Adam and his crew. The client had added a primary bedroom suite to the house with large accordion doors that opened to the back yard. So, Adam and his team developed a plan around that space. The design included a tiered deck leading from the primary suite to the pool, flanked by a 28-foot firewall in the sightline of the bedroom. 

“The reason for the big fireplace is that it acts as another wall to their bedroom when they open the door. So, in theory, you have the bedroom, the pool and then the fireplace wall, and that becomes one big room so they can lay in bed and have that fireplace on and kind of just live inside and outside,” he says.

Adam’s crew had not installed such a large fireplace at the time, so there was some trial and error with installation, but the experience taught him skills he could use for future projects.

They installed a covered structure with frosted panels to provide shaded seating by the pool. The yard is enclosed with the same style of glass panels to keep the area feeling open, which was another new approach for them.

Abor and Frosted Glass Panels

“There are some power lines behind the pool and homes on the other side, so we didn't want the project to feel closed in with a bunch of big plant materials,” he says. “So that's why we did those frosted glass panels. It still lets the light in and still gives you privacy, [but] doesn't take up a lot of room and adds to the contemporary Hollywood style.”

Overlooking the fence into the backyard

Most project reveals are not like they are on television. Clients see the work coming together each day and are along for the ride with the team. But Adam got to see the reactions of their friends and family when the client held a party to show off the finished project.

“Those are the folks that are really like, ‘oh, my gosh, this is amazing,’” he says. “I get the satisfaction of watching as the party happens and seeing how the space is used from inside to outside.”

Adam started Landscape Studio in 2010 with a focus on design and installation but recently expanded to maintenance after seeing a need for it. Many of his clients would come to him with questions on how to care for their new spaces because they could not find knowledgeable crews on their own.

Adam knew the best way to ensure projects lasted was with the proper maintenance, so he asked a current employee to head up the new company, The Greensmith.

Adam says their approach to design has not changed since adding maintenance to their roster of services, but they have seen the benefits of being involved in each of the design, build and maintain sectors.

"Noe that we're doing maintenance, we realize what works and what doesn't work long-term," he says.

"So, we're better designers because we understand
the longevity of it now by maintaining it."

Adam Ardoin
Owner of Landscape Studio Group

Email: adam@landscapestudiogroup.com 

landscapestudiogroup.com