CLIFFTOP WAY
Completed June 2024

I initially met this duo back in November '23 after they had signed on with a contractor to gut & remodel their newly purchased home. They were fresh to LA, having lived in NYC for the last decade, and wanted to embody what it means to live on California's coastline. Having grown up in South Africa, certain plants, or more so plant pallets, were requested to create a feeling of home that had been so far removed living in New York. Outdoor living was priority, and luckily for them, they inherited a large lot that was more or less a blank slate minus some artificial turf & banana trees. 

In terms of design, the required a full overhaul including new plaster & the decommission of the infinity edge. To save costs, we figured out a way to convert the infinity basin into a planter rather than deconstructing all the walls. The pool was shortened, and finished with black pebble tech & slate tile.

The entire backyard was completely covered in artificial turf and concrete. The tuft, sub-base and planting was removed & replaced with native material, and we selectively removed areas of concrete to create more inviting seating & entertainment spaces while working within the constrains of the existing walls & topography.

All in all, the goal was to simply create a garden. We didn't have a huge budget for the size of the space which forced us to simplify and get creative. We had some issues along the way but these were some of the best client's we've worked with, and you can tell by the end result. 


Location: Malibu, CA
Landscape Budget: 85,000    Pool Renovation: $60,000
Construction Timeline: 6 weeks
Designer: Aaron Hinish
Contractor: Castellon Landscape 
3M Pools |  Natee Fagtongpun