Mr. Deck - The Calos-Ellis Project


*Projects* The Calos-Ellis Project This series of connected and beautifully crafted redwood decks lies in the heart of one of California’s redwood forests. It is truly inspirational to see the character of Man’s handiwork woven into the natural fabric from which it came. The many strategically placed potted flowering plants only accentuates the rich green fabric of the forest’s canopy. The project was designed to safely bring people out into the otherwise precarious natural setting.
The extent of the various platform decks lends itself to the accommodation of large gatherings. In fact, the outdoor living space exceeds the area of the 2-story indoor space!	Each deck offers something different: a look at the various outdoor furniture gives one a hint at what they might be.
This series of decks was built in two stages separated by 2 years. The reason was that in the same year the top level decks near the house were built, the winter brought heavy prolonged rains. The hillside all along the deck's border collapsed in a major landside that took away 5 feet off the surface. The landside stopped right at the decks' outer foundation supports. These supports were 24-inch galvanized screw-in ground anchors! I don't think that where the ground held was just coincidental. These showpiece decks have been admired by many a visitor but, sadly, it is one of the last great redwood decks that I built. Today there are better materials that just don't require the upkeep that a deck like this takes. The owners spent at least $4000 every two years to maintain it's pristine beauty, but eventually after 6 years the deck began to lose its ability to be restored. That's why I don't plank decks with wood anymore.

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