Mission Hills Sanctuary Garden — Spanish Colonial Revival Reimagined

“A garden sanctuary in Mission Hills, San Diego, designed as an evolutionary landscape system rooted in Spanish Colonial Revival heritage.”

A short film of LASD Studio’s Mission Hills Sanctuary Garden, reinterpreting the Spanish Colonial Revival style in San Diego. The design unites front and backyards into a coherent vision, blending historic architecture with Mediterranean planting and the studio’s philosophy of Designing Landscapes as Evolutionary Systems.

LASD Studio works across garden design, landscape architecture, urban design, and regional planning — rooted in San Diego and working internationally.

This Garden Sanctuary in Mission Hills, San Diego reinterprets the Spanish Colonial Revival style, connecting architecture and landscape into a unified vision.

From the earliest design discussions, we emphasized the importance of architectural gravity: the garden must feel as though it belongs to the style of the property. This approach establishes a coherent identity rooted in Spanish Colonial Revival, while leaving space for new elements to emerge over time.

The philosophy behind the project reflects our broader vision of Designing Landscapes as Evolutionary Systems — landscapes that honor tradition, embrace the present, and remain open to future growth and transformation.

Sanctuary Garden Experience

Entry pathway framed by stucco walls, red door, and Mediterranean planting, reflecting Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

Spanish Revival Front Yard with Curved Hedges

Front yard landscape design with curved hedges and terraced planting, blending Spanish Colonial Revival style with drought-tolerant greenery.

Mission Hills Sanctuary Garden Entry

Entry pathway framed by stucco walls, red door, and Mediterranean planting, reflecting Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

Backyard Trellis and Outdoor Living Space

Garden trellis over a shaded patio with seating, designed for gatherings and relaxation in Mission Hills backyard sanctuary.

Garden Sanctuary with Water Feature and Retaining Walls

Backyard slope redesign with stone water feature, curved retaining walls, and layered planting for improved usability and beauty.

Spanish Revival Garden Perspective

View across redesigned backyard with terraced planting beds, curved retaining walls, and pathways enhancing space usability.

Outdoor Patio and Gathering Zone

Stone patio with seating areas and integrated planting, designed for outdoor dining and gatherings within the Sanctuary Garden

Spanish Revival Entry Trellis

Decorative trellis and stucco wall at garden entry, creating a welcoming Spanish Revival-inspired passage framed by trees.

Design Philosophy

The project draws on the architectural gravity of Spanish Colonial Revival style. The garden becomes an extension of the house, uniting front and backyard in a coherent vision. While the front yard reflected the historic style, the backyard lacked it — our design bridges the gap, ensuring a seamless identity and space for future evolution.

Concept Vision

The design embraces structured order and fluid openness, inspired by revival-era courtyards and sanctuaries. It leaves space for new elements to emerge organically, aligning with our philosophy of Designing Landscapes as Evolutionary Systems.

Existing Condition

Before the redesign, the backyard was disconnected from the home’s style. The transformation began with unifying elements — walls, planting, and courtyards — into a holistic Spanish Revival sanctuary.

PROJECT DESIGN DRAWINGS

3D Axonometric Garden Design – Mission Hills

3D axonometric model of Mission Hills Sanctuary Garden showing Spanish Revival trellis, curved retaining walls, and tiered backyard spaces designed to fit the sloped environment.

Conceptual Landscape Design – Mission Hills Sanctuary Garden

Conceptual landscape plan for a Spanish Colonial Revival garden in Mission Hills, San Diego, showing curved retaining walls, pathways, planting areas, and integration of front yard, deck, and backyard sanctuary.

Detailed Hardscape and Planting Plan

Landscape architecture plan detailing hardscape, retaining walls, planting beds, and water features, designed to enhance usability of sloped backyard while matching Spanish Revival aesthetics.

Construction Layout and Circulation Plan

DEMO WORKS - Technical drawing of garden circulation with stone steps, terraces, and patio structures, balancing functionality and elegance in the Mission Hills Sanctuary Garden.

LASD Studio developed the concept with the vision of the garden as the heart and spirit of the property, rooted in the timeless elegance of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. The project is composed of three main zones: the welcoming front yard and entry sequence, a spacious deck for gatherings, and the intimate backyard Sanctuary Garden.

To enhance the gentle yet powerful aesthetic of the space, we introduced design elements characteristic of the style: wavy hedges, trellises, water features, patios, and arbors. Each element carries both functional and symbolic weight — creating rhythm, shade, and a sense of timeless beauty. In the backyard, a curved pathway system was designed to follow an organic flow of energy, guiding movement through the Sanctuary Garden and reinforcing the essence of harmony, reflection, and connection to nature.

---