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B y D E B I B R YA N T
THE GOOD FENCE
GOOD FENCES NOT ONLY MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS— THEY MAKE AN AESTHETIC STATEMENT By definition, a fence is any structure that encloses a landscape providing security against intruders, marking a boundary or acting as confining barrier. In other words—fences are functional.
However, based on your design choices and material selections, they can also serve as a beautiful accompaniment to a home. DESIGN TALK
For Mark McKinnon, founder of McKinnon Associates, a well-designed fence is an acknowledgement by the homeowners that their home is not limited to the primary structure. “When you want a fence that is more than pure function, you are applying comprehensive design theory and attention all the way to your property line,” he says. “You’re saying that your living environment extends beyond your air-conditioned space, through the windows and out into the gardens.” As an example, he has built a fence for a client out of a specialty metal with a highly reflective A B O V E : A beautiful fence complements your home, extending its reach to the garden and out to the property line. L E F T : Houston landscape architect Mark McKinnon explores innovative materials for use in fences. Here, an opaque sheet of acrylic is backlit for dramatic effect. 28
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