We love putting reader questions out there for help from the Apartment Therapy community. Some of the questions regard ho-hum house exteriors and how to take them up a notch design-wise. It can be a tricky thing, especially if you're trying to do it with limited time, money, inspiration, and so on. That's why this little Cor-Ten entry wall by a Minneapolis designer jumped out at us as apt inspiration when we spotted it:
Located at the entrance to an unassuming (yet immaculate) ranch house, this low wall is a touch of high design. Using Cor-Ten (a purposefully-patinated steel), the wall enters the realm of artist Richard Serra or architects Herzog & de Meuron in its own little way.
See more of this project and other invigorating landscape interventions at Ro/Lu.
Images: Ro/Lu
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I feel bad... but I just am NOT digging this. Looks like they built a house behind a dumpster. :(
This is attractive in what sense?
Not loving it.
I went to see more on the web site - the rocks on the inside look nice, but it will be difficult for the owners to keep weed free without regular herbicide use.
I really love it, here's some additional info: Over the next few years, the clean, freshly exposed Cor-ten steel will re-weather outside and the smooth steel will transform from silver to a variegated purplish brown patina with iridescent overtones. The first stage of this process may surprise viewers because the sculpture will turn bright orange due to rusting which results from the steel being exposed to repeated wet and dry cycles outdoors. The pace of the change in patina will depend on weather conditions, but eventually the object will turn brown and then continue darkening to its popular, recognizable appearance. (Description of Robert Indianas 'Love' at the Indianapolis Museum of Art
I like the horizonal line formed by the wall but not sure why they picked steel. The dry-stacked stone used on the facade could have been riffed on a bit, no?
LOVE IT! Want it! Very clean and zen. As for needing pesticides- don't have dirt under rocks. Weed barrier or some other substance. We have similar rock ground covering and we very seldom have weeds. I haven't had to spray and we have lived here three years.
Is there a "before" photo?
Would have been awesome had they planted some nice billowy perennials behind it. Some Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' would really have softened it up, and would have been far easier to maintain than the rock mulch.
I like the look. I wouldn't want it for my house. But I like the way it looks in this photo.
It's fine by itself, but it looks like a dumpster because it doesn't fit the house at all.
It takes a little time for acquaintance, but it is a nice updating of the house. Placking a barrier under the rocks will take care of weeds.
I'd also like to see a bush-and-flower bed placed off center to slightly defocus the door.
I don't love it with this house, but I do love it. Very modern and a great way to incorporate a front garden near the house. Maybe a herb or salad garden even.
i love it. but it freaks me out that the land falls away to the right and so the wall appears wider/higher as it moves right. but that's just me.
as for weeds in rocks - easy to kill off with boiling water straight from the kettle.
I love the look. A few more modern elements might help pull it together and make it look more intentional.
I like this, however it doesn't fit the current house at all. I can imagine it next to a re-furbished and modernized ranch house out in the desert (something like this would work better: http://www.the-brick-house.com/2011/04/landscape-2/)
Good idea, doesn't fit the house
I like it! I really wanted to incorporate corten steel in my own modern landscaping. However, it was just too expensive.
I think it the siding was a light blue it would fit the house better. I also have a problem with the visual of the yard dipping down on the right, I want it to be flat with that horizontal wall.
Check out how beautiful Cor-Ten can get: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3034686826_92f57faf14.jpg
I love this. We're in Minneapolis, and I'm looking to use this material to make a larger planting area in our front yard. I'm going to have to check out this designer.