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Collection by Aileen Kwun

Bold, Modern Fences That Challenge the Norm

Bringing new forms to their function, these unconventional structures go beyond the prototypical white picket in favor of more adventurous building materials—including Cor-ten steel and the landscape itself.

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The house that Henri Sayes designed for himself and his wife, Nicole Stock, is distinguished by a cutaway in the cedar cladding that mirrors the angular double-height space within. In the yard, a grassy berm, fashioned from earth excavated for the foundation, takes the place of a fence.
The house that Henri Sayes designed for himself and his wife, Nicole Stock, is distinguished by a cutaway in the cedar cladding that mirrors the angular double-height space within. In the yard, a grassy berm, fashioned from earth excavated for the foundation, takes the place of a fence.
A living wall planted with succulents creates a “view” where there was none.
A living wall planted with succulents creates a “view” where there was none.
The gap between the house and the fence creates a small patio with space for raised bed vegetable gardening.
The gap between the house and the fence creates a small patio with space for raised bed vegetable gardening.
A key aspect of the renovation was ensuring the privacy of the resident, whose frontyard formerly exposed the home to the road. At five feet high, this slatted fencing encloses just enough: providing privacy without isolating the home from its setting. Photo by: Scott Hargis
A key aspect of the renovation was ensuring the privacy of the resident, whose frontyard formerly exposed the home to the road. At five feet high, this slatted fencing encloses just enough: providing privacy without isolating the home from its setting. Photo by: Scott Hargis
An ipe deck slopes sharply skyward behind Amy Persin’s house in Menlo Park, California, creating a secluded backyard getaway that feels like an outdoor extension of her living room. A single step on either side leads to patches of gravel, which her children have claimed as areas for unstructured play.
An ipe deck slopes sharply skyward behind Amy Persin’s house in Menlo Park, California, creating a secluded backyard getaway that feels like an outdoor extension of her living room. A single step on either side leads to patches of gravel, which her children have claimed as areas for unstructured play.
With its vertical wood slats, the garden fence helps unify the main house and the smaller shed.
With its vertical wood slats, the garden fence helps unify the main house and the smaller shed.