Designer Profile: Joe Garcia
Landscape & Pool Designer
Design Experience:
Joe Garcia opened his company, Triple J, in 2002 and operated that business until 2004 when the opportunity arose for him to join Chris at UNIQUE. Joe immediately began designing and managing landscape and pool projects for the UNIQUE Companies. His management background and motivation make him a tremendous asset to UNIQUE.
“Joe has been involved with Unique for almost 14 years now, and he’s become very familiar with every facet of landscape and pool construction in which we are involved. Joe is a great fit for any client who is looking for creative design ideas, a professional approach, and knowledge in large landscape and pool projects. He’s put together some of the largest projects that UNIQUE has done over the past decade plus and he continues to be one of our top designers. He’s always on time, always follows through, and takes his business, his clients, and his designs seriously”, states Chris Griffin, owner of UNIQUE Companies.
Joe’s outstanding work and his strong work ethic have been recognized with many awards during his tenure at UNIQUE. His designs have also been featured on the ABC 15 Home Hunter television show and in Phoenix Home and Garden, House 2 Home and Home Life magazines. Several of his designs are also displayed on UNIQUE’s advertising material, banners and trade show displays
Joe’s philosophy and continued success revolve around his commitment to meeting and exceeding his customer’s expectations. His well-established creative process begins by listening to his clients and understanding their goals and desires for outdoor living. He then provides additional information to his clients based on his vast experience and expertise in the industry. Finally, he and the clients collaborate to fine tune and enhance the original project scope and image. This long practiced and well perfected procedure consistently results in a project which surpasses even the client’s wildest dreams.
When Joe is not working with clients to create their dream outdoor living spaces, he can most often be found spending time with his family, Joe, Jan and Jacob.
Notable Projects:
Bowers Project – Unique Companies are known throughout Arizona for creative designs, and the Bowers project designed by Joe Garcia (Triple J) was truly an example of that and the high quality of workmanship that goes into each and every project. The Bowers were from Kingman Arizona and narrowed their choice down to 3 companies. They said it came down to a so-called design challenge. We are proud to say that we were awarded that project
and the finished results were amazing!! Some of the highlights of this incredible project are as follows:
Silver quartzite flagstone decking, stonework accents that smoothly transitioned from the home to the rest of the landscape elements. Large sized boulders (Crane needed) that were strategically placed to further enhance and blend with the surrounding landscape of the property. Custom manor style fireplace and custom firepit which was on an elevated deck and surrounded by a custom “bonko” seat. A large raised planter surrounding a focal point of boulders, palms, lighting, and was also used as additional seating. Artificial grass areas that gave provided fabulous contrast and color.
Putting green was incorporated in the design, to give the clients and guests options for entertainment. FX lighting system throughout the project which brought the whole design to life in the evening. Last but not least, the large pool/spa that was designed for entertainment – some of the features were, a large waterfall that if you closed your eyes and listened to the sounds, you may thought you were at a five star resort on vacation. Water slide winding around the waterfall spilling into the deep end of the pool. A custom grotto under the waterfall where you can relax with a beverage and use the custom Grotto ledge for a snack or you can even use it to place some candles on to create that ultimate romantic place to go. An Island in the middle of the pool accessed by a bridge, where you can layout and get some sun or have a candlelight dinner overlooking the city lights and the sounds of that great waterfall.
Special pool seating that wraps halfway around the island giving you and your guests a place to sit and converse with the people in the spa. A custom beverage cooler, hidden in one of the life like artificial boulders near the relaxing spa which spills into the grand swimming pool. Obviously, we can’t mention everything about this project, but it’s a great example of what you can have in your own backyard and what we mean when we say “Take a vacation… in your own backyard!”
Bone Pool & Landscape – Can you say “Ultimate”? This project was AMAZING !!! Below are some of what this project featured.A huge artificial grass area where you can play many games and activities. And just think “ NO MOE, MOWING”. Incorporated in that grass area was a custom in-ground trampoline which was level with the artificial grass. BBQ/Bar area with travertine tile countertops, ice cooler for that favorite beverage. A custom Ramada, that included an enclosed, air conditioned changing room on the backside of the Ramada, Custom fireplace with travertine bullnose capping, TV above the fireplace that was recessed so the remote controlled shutters can enclose the tv and protect it from the elements. Fan, lights with dimmer switches to control the mood. Commercial grade Mist system surrounding the Ramada – Who says its to hot to be outside ? The pool had a custom grotto with lights inside the grotto, waterfall with areas to jump off of, or just sit while the rushing water flows over you. Upgraded waterslide, which was taller than our standard waterslides giving you that extra speed coming down into the pool. Raised life like artificial boulder planters on each side of the waterfall with plant pockets to give you that complete tropical feeling. The opposite side of the pool was another fire feature, this time, a blazing firepit with the popular “Soft S” custom designed benchseat – a great place to socialize with a different type of fire. And cant forget the sport court which included basketball, tennis, various other games, and an oversized chess game board with oversized game pieces. What a fun backyard this was to design and see completed.
Weiss Project – Arcadia front & backyard! This project located near Camelback Mountain, was the birth of our popular “Channels of Fire”. This fire feature design was part of an existing pool remodel, and has been a favorite for many of our clients. The pool and surrounding area was completely remodeled, which included a new water/fire feature, interior, new flagstone decking, lighting, a custom firepit with a boulder embedded in the firepit, custom spa wrap with travertine capping.The design for the side yard was challenging because of the long/narrow area to work with, but we accomplished that challenge with creative mounding/boulders/foliage and a place with a chipping pad, so you can be challenged to chip your ball onto the new putting green, but you have to first hit your ball over the “Bellagio style” fountain which has 3 foaming fountains that can be controlled separately for the height of the fountain.
“FORE !!” New green grass area to add contrast to the rest of the design, BBQ with Mexican tile counter tops, We also remodeled the front courtyard, starting with the entrance. A custom brick arch entrance with iron gates welcomes guests to this home and as they walk through the arch their eyes are widened by the custom fountain that is centered inside the courtyard. This fountain displays a statue of a woman in the middle spilling water from her pottery. She is raised on a pedestal, and the capping and interior of this fountain is finished with Mexican tile. This courtyard, will surely give guests a pleasant place to share a beverage while hearing the calming sounds of the custom fountain.
Cardini Fireplace – One of Unique’s most popular fireplaces of all time.This project needed a remodel of their entertainment area, but not just any type of remodel, but a design that I personally call “Designs that make sense”. When this project was completed, the client called and thanked us and said, they comfortably entertained 75 guests !! Now that is a “Design that makes sense”. This project featured our most popular fireplace design “The Cardini”. The project also included a custom BBQ/Bar with a custom firepit in the shape of a star that was placed in the middle of the round bar countertop. Upgraded flagstone was used on the countertop, decking, and capping. Stonework added that something extra special for the fireplace hearth and each of the columns that were on each side of the fireplace. Pottery was placed on top of the pillars and in other parts of the patio. The “Cardini” fireplace has been built several times since it’s creation and we can even build it without the scroll work if you wish. So, give us a call and just mention you want the “Cardini”.
