Dragon Point Residence

Perched in the hills of El Dorado County, this home enjoys spectacular natural views, but the front entry failed to match the setting—leaving the homeowners disheartened each time they returned. The objective was to create an entry courtyard that would buffer the driveway and garage, and give the house an entrance commensurate with its surroundings.

Drawing on experience designing rooftop terrace gardens in New York City, I introduced a sequence of planter boxes edged with two Little Gem Magnolias to frame the front steps and entry. The clients requested synthetic lawn, so we developed a distinctive pattern in the ground plane that guides movement through the space and gives the courtyard its own graphic identity. To promote a comfortable, visually engaging approach to the home, the main walkways were designed without turf interruptions—avoiding seams between pavers that force people to look down and ensuring the path can be enjoyed without distraction.