Ross Residence

Houston, Texas
by Dill Design Works

Located in Houston, Texas, this townhouse courtyard measures 11'x45', with a side utility/access garden measuring 8'x 15' and enclosed by an 8' wood fence. Double French doors open to the courtyard space with two picture windows providing garden views. This west facing space with deep awnings consisted of gravel and paver pads and a transformer and A/C units.

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Located in Houston, Texas, this townhouse courtyard measures 11'x45', with a side utility/access garden measuring 8'x 15' and enclosed by an 8' wood fence. Double French doors open to the courtyard space with two picture windows providing garden views. This west facing space with deep awnings consisted of gravel and paver pads and a transformer and A/C units.

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The Residential Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Ross Residence is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

Sharing similar cultural backgrounds, this collaboration between the husband and wife client and landscape architect provided the basis for a design rooted in the spirit of the Japanese stroll garden. The husband and I are both Japanese American and he and his wife have travelled throughout Japan and requested a design inspired by the courtyard gardens they had experienced. Having worked as a landscape architect in Tokyo for 5 years, I gained the knowledge of utilizing limited space.

 

The stroll path layout provides an increased perception of depth by using traditional Japanese garden principles as inspiration. The challenges of Houston's extreme climate and limited direct sun informed the plant selection, with 85% of the plants being native to Japan.

Garden elements include a disappearing fountain with a core drilled feature stone, contrasting stone groups, bluestone paving, beach pebbles, a stone column light, and fence/trellises that screen the utilities and provide an illusion of larger spaces beyond the courtyard.

An area for a café table and chairs allows for the tranquil enjoyment of the multi-layered space and illusion of a larger garden, while inviting relaxing strolls with a variety of ever changing views.

To see more Residential projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-residential-issue

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php

Filed Under: APRIL 2026, RESIDENTIAL, DILL DESIGN WORKS, ROSS RESIDENCE, HOUSTON, TEXAS, LASN