CALM DESIGN SHOWCASE - 2009

This is the fourth year KOR has been invited to participate as the Landscape Architect on the CALM Design Showcase home. This year’s selection was Casa Robles, a historic home originally designed by famed architect Chester Carjola. Taking inspiration from the surrounding mature Oak woodland already existing on the property and the Mediterranean architecture of the home, KOR selected a simple landscape palette of drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants. The re-design of the grounds included creating a series of small spaces and garden rooms including a new entry garden featuring a new staircase to lead from the reworked motor court. Stone paving and Santa Barbara Sandstone walls that relate to the historic architecture continue KOR’s intention to blend new with old on the property.

Upon completion, the home was open for viewing by the community for one month. All proceeds from the Showcase benefited CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Mediation).

CALM PLAYGROUND AND YARD

KOR was asked to donate the planning of a Playground and Yard for a CALM property set up for 2 to 6 year old at risk children. Working with CALM on their existing yard, KOR designed a nice long lawn to give children space to run as well as a playground structure with resilient safety surfacing. Kid friendly plantings surround the lawn providing a place to play, discover and learn. Raised vegetable planter boxes allow kids to grow and harvest food for their table; providing outdoor education experiences to children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

GARDEN OF FORGIVENESS

SafeNet (Survivors Alliance and Franciscan Exchange Network) was formed in 2003 in an effort to assist in the recovery process and address the systemic effects of clergy sexual abuse. SafeNet, along with Instruments of Peace, have presented a proposal to build a “Garden of Forgiveness” on the grounds of the Mission in Santa Barbara. This Garden, which will also include a resource and education center, will be the first of its kind in the nation created specifically to address healing the wounds of clergy sexual abuse by acknowledging and exploring the power of forgiveness.

KOR worked with SafeNet to create a garden design that would fulfill their needs and requirements as a space for healing. The garden’s design allows for both personal and communal healing areas. A series of paths and trails lead away from the main path to private areas intended for reflection and peace. Water was used throughout the garden, encouraging interaction though the use of stones, icons and other symbolic offerings.

The design is currently being presented by SafeNet and Instruments of Peace to the Franciscan leadership and Mission Advisory Board in an attempt to keep everyone involved in the development of a garden that hopes to help all.

"By being a vessel that holds both joy and sorrow, the garden will help contribute to the emotional and spiritual well-being of all who enter it" -SafeNet Proposal

DREAM FOUNDATION

In 2009 KOR was approached to participate in the design of a garden to grant the wishes of a Santa Barbara resident who was loosing her fight with Ovarian Cancer. KOR worked with the family to design an “Enchanted English Garden” that she would be able to sit in and enjoy. It was also her wishes to be cremated and placed in a specially designed bird bath that would be placed in the middle of the garden, surrounded by the flowers and birds she wanted so much to enjoy. Once the design was completed, KOR worked with local landscape contractor Randy Wilson, of Wilson Landscapes, to install the garden the patient had dreamed of.

DOS PUEBLOS HIGH SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION

"On behalf of the Dos Pueblos High School Adminstration, Parent-Teacher-Student Association and Beautify Dos Pueblos (BDP) Committee, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to you for your overwhelmingly generous donation of conceptualizing, designing, drawing, and submitting for approval the Architectural Landscape plans for the entire existing Dos Pueblos campus!"

see more of the acknowledgement...

DONATION OF DESIGN TIME

KOR is occasionally asked to donate design time as part of Non-Profit fundraisers such as Silent Auctions. The proceeds earned goes to help the Non-Profit Organization in their efforts to support the community and the lucky recipient of the Design time gets several hours of our time either used towards consultation or design work.

If you are a Non-Profit Organization and interested in including KOR in your next fundraiser please contact us.

Defensible Space

Create a Fire Safe landscape for at least 30 feet around your house (and out to 100 feet or more in some areas). This is the basis for creating a “Defensible Space”. Clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around your home and other structures will not only provide you with the greatest chance for survival, it is also required by California law.

Fire Safe Landscaping

Your first defense against wildfire is to create a Fire Safe landscape around your home. Removing flammable native vegetation and replacing it with low-growing, fire resistive plants is one of the easiest and most effective ways to create a defensible space. Select landscape vegetation based on fire resistance and ease of maintenance.

Characteristics of Fire Resistant Plants

• Ability to store water in leaves or stems
• Ability to resprout after a fire
• Produces limited dead and fine material
• Extensive, deep root systems for controlling erosion
• High moisture content maintained with limited watering
• Low-growing or prostrate in form
• Open loose branches with a low volume of total vegetation
• Low levels of volatile oils or resins
• Not considered invasive
• Slow growing with little maintenance needed

Once you have established your Fire Safe landscape, you must maintain it regularly.

To view the complete Fire Safe Landscaping PowerPoint Presentation, Please visit our FLIKR album.