Landscape installation projects typically rank among the highest in terms of outdoor projects that bring homeowners joy, this according to studies by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
San Francisco Bay Area-based master landscape designer, Michael Galli knows a lot about joyful landscapes. For the past 40 years, Michael and his company, Metamorphosis Landscaping, have designed and constructed hundreds of landscape projects in the greater Bay Area.
“Two important design criteria that nearly all clients desire when moving forward with a new landscape for their home are that the design maximize the use of their existing property and that the design fit with the home’s existing architecture. The landscape also needs to be an extension of their home’s living space,” states Galli.
And, of course, the landscape must be beautiful, joyful even. Millbrae, California homeowner, Mark Murdoch, was one of Metamorphosis Landscaping’s first clients over 30 years ago. Murdoch’s backyard was effectively cut in half by a municipal stormwater canal. Metamorphosis Landscaping installed a large redwood deck over the canal to bridge the two, previously separated, portions of the backyard. Ever since, Murdoch has used his backyard and deck extensively, even referring to the area as his “playground”.
“What’s nice about redwood is it can be translated from blueprint to reality very easily,” according to Galli.
The redwood has also stood the test of time; not a single board has been replaced over the years. Mr. Murdoch and most of Metamorphosis Landscaping’s other clients opt for an ongoing maintenance contract whereby all the wood is cleaned and refinished every two years. Superdeck, a high-quality oil-based transparent stain, is the finish of choice. Metamorphosis’ crews are active in the late Spring months doing maintenance, so the projects are at their peak appearance during the long Bay Area summers.
Michael Galli and his team design not only decks with redwood, but also pergolas, trellis, gates, garden boxes, and more. Redwood timbers are particularly prized for their span ratings. Many of the pergolas Mr. Galli designs are very large and encompass an entire outdoor living eco-system, whether with a kitchen, living room, or spa area underneath.
Redwood specification information including CSI 3-part and Canadian CSC formatted specification, BIM objects, CAD drawings, product catalogs, and LEED credit information, along with American Institute of Architects (AIA) LU/HSW credit hour webinars may all be found by visiting https://www.getredwood.com/architects.
Builder: Metamorphosis Landscaping
