Stratford
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Set within a coastal pocket of Encinitas west of the 5, Stratford is a masterful expression of mid-century concrete architecture originally designed by Shan Kellogg—daughter of legendary San Diego architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg. Known for his organic and curvilinear forms, Kendrick Kellogg’s work helped define the region’s architectural voice in the latter half of the 20th century. Shan’s continuation of this legacy carries forward his appreciation for bold geometry and raw materials—qualities that posed a unique design challenge when it came time to soften the home’s exterior.
The goal of this landscape project was simple in concept but complex in execution: make a concrete home feel warm, grounded, and soulful. Our design response was to layer in natural materials that would contrast, complement, and eventually settle into the existing structure.
We introduced richly grained hardwood in custom trellises and gates, flagstone paths with organic joints, and boulders used not just as sculptural elements—but as functional seating. The plant palette is textural and wild, anchored by native and climate-appropriate species like ferns, juncus, sages, and sedges. Paths meander through decomposed granite and dry creek beds, while a handcrafted wooden bridge spans a depression planted like a seasonal arroyo.
The backyard features moments of discovery: a cedar soaking tub nestled under a vine-wrapped pergola, reclaimed furniture on Ipe decking, and a small grill zone framed by patinaed copper panels and mature foliage. These details bring a handcrafted quality to the space that stands in deliberate contrast to the monolithic feel of the home.
The Stratford project is a study in contrast and cohesion. A place where organic materials soften sharp lines, and where a modernist legacy finds new life in the rhythm of stone, wood, water, and plant.
TEAM
Landscape Design and Installation: Falling Waters Landscape
Photography by Taryn Kent
