Christiane Holmquist Landscape Design

  • Home
  • Portfolio
  • Projects
  • How I work
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Shade sails – an airy, energetic and imaginative structure element in the landscape

February 18, 2013 By Christiane Homquist

Whenever I see the shade sails in this garden, I have the sensation of floating through the landscape, as though the patio was a ship sailing past islands of colorful plants and fun activities.  I also think of comfort; activities beneath these sails are protected from drizzle, fog and sunshine without being weighed down by heavy beams.

sail shades protect from UV rays and unwanted viewsCASE STUDY IN LA JOLLA

In the above backyard landscape design, the installer designed a combination of 2 super-imposed sails made to specs from sun-rated HDPE (high density polyethylene) fire rated shade fabric, sage green, both in a triangle shape. After determining the specific angle that was needed to block out the noon sun, one sail tip was attached with a strong stainless steel cable to the 1st story façade of the L-shaped house; a second point of attachment is on the roof of the lower arm of the L, where the actual anchoring was achieved by attaching to the roof beams.  The 3rd sail tip is attached to a steel post with a 4’-6” foot-deep base set in concrete that is hidden among the bamboo culms. Together both shade sails are very efficient at blocking the sun of the dining area, and their swooping outlines impart motion and energy to the landscape.

These sails can also be mounted vertically to block out a bad view; in this project the sails served to screen out the neighbor’s house that was looming behind the fence.

In cases where there is no house or roof to attach the sails to, free-standing posts are planted to which the sails are attached.

DETERMINING SHADE AND EFFICIENCY

The shade sails above were tested in a mock-up prior to installation. Other methods include “shade auditing” and  shadow mapping.

BENEFITS

  • Protection from UV rays (some fabrics offer up to 97 % UV protection);
  • Custom designed to fit the project’s requirements, in triangle, or trapezoid/square shapes (some standard sizes are available);
  • They represent cool landscape ideas that add value to the home and attractiveness to the landscape;
  • They can serve as vertical screen to increase privacy or block out a bad view;
  • They can be designed and installed to withstand high wind ratings.
  • Low maintenance: Yearly washing is recommended (some installers offer this service).

PRODUCT QUALITY
Every component of a shade sail is designed to stand up to the rigors of day in–day out exposure to the sun.  Many shade sails also have an up to 10 year manufacturer’s warranty against UV degradation.

DESIGN

As landscape designer San Diego, I love the contemporary character of these structures, their playful and even elegant forms and subtle colors. They make for an artistic statement, be it in a Mediterranean landscape, an eclectic “California mix”, or the landscape design adorning a modern home.

Since the sails can be mounted on roofs, façades or free-standing posts not planted in a fixed square or rectangle, I enjoy the artistic freedom that this allows my residential landscape design; these free-form shapes can totally transform a bland landscape into an architectural showpiece.

Filed Under: Landscape Design, Special architectal landscape elements Tagged With: backyard landscape design, landscape designer San Diego, landscape ideas, residential landscape design

Search our blog articles

Get your free eBook “15 Things To Do Before You Hire A Landscape Designer”

Blog Contents

  • Backyard Landscape Design
  • Container Gardening
  • Drought Resistant Landscape
  • Drought Resistant Plants
  • Gardening tips
  • Landscape Design
  • Landscape Design Portfolio
  • Landscape Design Projects
  • Low Maintenance Plants
  • Low Water Landscape
  • Outdoor Kitchen
  • Places to visit
  • Rocky Mountain landscaping
  • Shade Structures
  • Special architectal landscape elements
  • Sustainable Landscape Design
  • Trees
  • Uncategorized
  • Water Features for Gardens and Yards
  • Xeriscape designs

Blog Index

backyard landscape design diy landscape design drought resistant landscaping drought tolerant gardening drought tolerant landscape design drought tolerant plants drought tolerant shrubs drought tolerant trees dry climate design front yard landscape design garden design gardening ideas home landscape design irrigation restrictions in Southern California landscape design landscape design consultations landscape designer San Diego landscape design help landscape design ideas landscape ideas landscaping in San Diego County lawn removal limited water resources low-volume water features in the landscape low maintenance plants low water landscape low water landscaping Mediterranean-type plants perennials residential landscape design Shade sails sustainable garden design Sustainable landscape design trees useful tools for the water-wise gardener water-wise landscape design Water Conservation Water Conservation Garden Water Conserving plants xeriscape xeriscape design xeriscape designs xeriscape landscaping xeriscape plants xeriscape San Diego
Christiane, your design is beautiful. Viewers love the design and color. Thank you so much for all your support while the project was being developed. It would have been more stressful for me had you not held my hand regularly.

Rachel Michel

CHRISTIANE HOLMQUIST LANDSCAPE DESIGN


Download my article published in San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyles Magazine!
Contact Me I offer phone and/or onsite consultations and landscape design.

Phone: 406-246-6065

Latest Articles

  • Winter landscaping with Billie Gray : A lifelong love affair of gardening in the Rockies
  • Portfolio: Gardens with Water Features
  • Portfolio: Arbors And Dividers
  • Starting my new life in Montana
  • A Bench and How It Came to Be

Connect with me

  • Facebook

Copyright © 2023 · Agency Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in