Venice Studio Sanctuary

A corner lot in the famously eccentric Venice, California, neighborhood was reconceptualised as a botanical garden for two artists to live and work on the property. A private sanctuary and grounds for public art openings, the landscape serves as space for both retreat and cultural gathering.

A coastal community in Los Angeles, originally developed in the early 1900’s and historically home to a mash up of artists, rock stars and writers, is remarkable for still retaining its humble roots and creative character. Exemplifying the ethos and spirit of this unique neighborhood, Venice, the new owners wanted a garden that was like themselves – irreverent and informal, with a light touch on the land.

The design embeds intimate seating areas within the vast plantings, to be discovered as one moves throughout the property. In addition to the existing old-growth pine trees and palms, a wide range of new trees expand the canopy for shade and shelter. Ninety species of trees, shrubs, grasses, vines, and succulents are planted on site including a mix of citrus trees providing fruit and fragrance throughout the growing season. Soil displaced by the construction of an unconventional take on the classic beachside bungalow, plus his and her studios, was retained on the flat site. Sculpted into curvilinear berms, the introduction of topography added dimension and definition to the large space, a triple lot, as well as contributed to almost instantaneous privacy once trees, shrubs, and perennials were added on top. The resulting colorful meadow attracts birds, bees and butterflies.

Permeable walkways, using prefabricated concrete pavers and gravel, in concert with a straight cast-in-place entry path and undulating decomposed granite trails, orchestrate a hierarchy of movement across the site. Straight broad paths lead to the home and studio buildings, each with a separate entrance from the street. Ballooning from their intersection is a central green, a clearing within a dense, wild wonderland that provides secluded privacy for events and relaxation. A winding trail of decomposed granite weaves through the wooded perimeter, linking small and large gathering spaces nestled within.

The newly planted streetscape extends the park-like landscape to the neighborhood, offering seasonal change and variety rather than a typical combination of hedge and lawn. The property has matured into a botanical garden, featuring distinct plant communities emanating from the central green. A garden of blue foliage swirls around a pool fragment sculpture by Kelly Barrie complementing its patina. A live sculpture garden of other worldly succulents erupts at the entrance to the studios.

In the kitchen garden, a vibrant mix of citrus and herbs adjacent to native and climate-appropriate perennials provides sustenance and shelter for birds and pollinators. Lanky columnar cacti partnered with ‘Yellow Puffs’ Senecio, clumps of ‘San Ysidro Lane’ Agave and mounding Ripple Jade compose a living tapestry in the Succulent Garden. In addition to the pool fragment, infrastructural artifacts litter the site. Puffy green rain barrels collect roof runoff for irrigation during the hotter, drier months.

This flourishing biodiverse habitat prioritizes environmentally responsible practices, focusing on water conservation, climate appropriate plant use, and minimizing resource consumption. The pluralistic approach yields a maximalist garden that supercharges the surrounding coastal ecosystem.