This design feature is the central focus in an entry sequence for an urban modernist bungalow sited on an extremely restrictive lot. The distance from the side walk to the front door is scarcely 16 feet. There is a custom steel and reeded poly carbon panel fence and gate one enters through, crossing several poured-in-place concrete slab steps to reach this fire-fountain feature. This feature acts to redirect the user 90 degrees to climb the seven stone steps of the front porch. In crossing the fountain you continue to walk on pored-in-place concrete steps of the same dimension that now “float” in the shallow pool. Water circulates around the concrete pads creating a modern moat.
The fire-fountain itself is formed, poured-in-place high compression, steel reinforced concrete that was subsequently acid washed to achieve the desired finish. In modernist form, no decorative tiles or stones were added to the simple, straight-forward composition. A central stainless steel cascade shelf directs the water fall to the pool below as one singular sheet of water. On either side of the water cascade are dual fire features which sit slightly below the level of the water fall and when lit create dancing flames which reach over a foot tall. Flames rise up through teal and coke-bottle green glass, a color selected to mimic the color the water casts in sunlight. When lit, the natural gas flames create an effect of light dancing about behind the poly carbon fence panels from the exterior of the property. The pool is lit by four stainless steel LED bullets below the water line which are not only decorative but serve to illuminate the “floating” steps a pedestrian would cross to enter the house.
Black lava rock and drought resistant succulents surround the concrete fire fountain. The design of the concrete pool, with the steps floating in the pool, ties in with the home having some mid-century design elements. This style of landscape pool was utilized in many mid-century modern designs, in both residential and public structures.
The Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards are given each year by NARI Headquarters to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects. NARI Contractor Members are invited each year to compete for the prestigious Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award. CotY Award Winners report that winning this award is a major factor in enhancing their image within the industry and with prospective clients, and is a major morale-booster for their employees.