A wall that’s both functional and elegant

Michael Lambert lives in the house he grew up in on San Mateo Drive (at Middle Avenue). He wanted to construct a tall wall on the side and front of the house to screen a future bedroom addition. But he faced the dilemma for many homeowners on corner lots: The approximately 600 square feet of a residential lot that is in a triangle at the intersection cannot have a wall higher than 3’ in order not to obscure the sight line for vehicles.  A tall wall near the house would in effect separate those 600 square feet from his private yard.

His solution is an elegantly designed 6’ wall on the Middle Avenue side curving around to the front of the house avoiding the triangle. When in front of the house, the wall is topped by glass blocks with a trellis above. A 3’ curvilinear wall around the street side of the triangle integrates this section of the property with the remainder of the front lawn. The walls are finished with an acrylic plaster matching the texture and color of the fireplace of the house. Installation of landscaping is a work in progress.

Photo by Chris Gulker