6752 Dume Drive
Malibu, California
Landscape Design Concept · 2022
The Site
Perched on the bluffs of Point Dume, this property commands one of Malibu's most striking coastal positions. The challenge was designing a landscape that honored the drama of the setting without competing with it — softening the built environment while standing up to salt air, wind exposure, and the realities of coastal California.
The concept roots the property in its place. Native and Mediterranean species were selected for their ability to thrive in the coastal microclimate — drought-intelligent, fire-conscious, and beautiful in every season. The palette moves from low, wind-sculpted plantings along the bluff edge to lush, layered groves closer to the house.
Approach
Coastal Palette
Native grasses, salvias, and manzanita anchor the bluff-side plantings. Mediterranean olives, lavender, and rosemary bring structure and fragrance closer to the living spaces. Every species chosen for the site, not the catalog.
Wind & Exposure
Point Dume's ocean winds shape everything. Plantings are layered to create natural windbreaks without blocking the views that make this site extraordinary.
Fire Consciousness
Defensible space meets beautiful design. Species selection, spacing, and material choices all account for fire safety requirements without sacrificing the landscape's integrity.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
The landscape extends the living space outward. Transitional zones blur the line between architecture and garden, creating outdoor rooms that feel as considered as the interiors.
From the Concept Book
