Metamorphic Design

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Metamorphic Design

11 Reviews

Asymmetrical Balance

This steeply sloped back yard had dramatic grade changes on all sides. With one upslope neighbor, one downslope neighbor, and backing onto several other properties also connecting significantly higher than the house grade - the task of unifying the backyard and maximizing functionality in a pleasing form and flow, was an interesting and engaging challenge.

Project Year: 2019

Country: Canada

Prior to construction

BEFORE - At the entrance to the backyard

A graceful flow to the slope, and maximizing usable space

AFTER - At the entrance to the backyard

The existing landscape tie retaining walls were no longer functioning. **Note the x4 cedar trees at the back for a reference point

BEFORE - Looking up towards the back property line

Carving out the area to prepare the base of the walls. **Note the x4 cedar trees at the back for a reference point

IN PROGRESS - Prepping for the new retaining walls

Completed area, with all hardscape and softscape elements installed. **Note the x4 cedar trees at the back for a reference point

AFTER - Looking up towards the back property line

Alan Block retaining walls provide excellent structural retention of the slope

Stepped retaining walls that follow the natural slope

Walls are both tiered in height, and also "stepped" as the slope descends down

Detail - Stepped retaining walls

The intersection where lawn meets patio, and the slope shifts down from two retaining walls to one.

Wider view, lawn and patio

Cedar fence with clear stain, cedar bark chips as base and weed surpressant, and rainbow gravel as the dry river

Cedar, three ways

AB walls using Europa style provides a more natural look and feel

Stepped Alan Block walls, closer view

Sun loving evergreen shrubs for year round color and interest

Evergreen planting arrangement

Transitional point from 2 walls down to one, and from lawn to patio area

Wide perspective, descending view of slope

Prior to construction

BEFORE - Looking towards the patio & deck

Preparing the base

IN PROGRESS - Levelling & grading

Completed view of the backyard with all hardscape and softscape elements installed

AFTER - Looking towards deck and new patio

Concrete patio pavers in a random pattern

Patio paver area

Looking towards the highest grades of the property and the Western property line

Corner view of the stepped AB walls

Finding the flow of the natural slope and working to retain it while keeping the scale of the hardscape to a minimum

View looking up towards the North West back corner of the property

Working with the natural grades as much as possible

BEFORE - Prepping the slope

Transformative change! Vastly improved visual appeal and functionality

AFTER - Stepped walls following the natural slope

Note the descending slopes on both the East/West axis and the North/South axis

Retention of the upslope side

View from the lowest point, looking up to the highest points of the NW corner

Wide view of the back yard looking up towards the NW corner

Dug up from the site and re purposed as a focal point in the gravel river

Native site rock

Viewing the gravel river from the elevated deck offers a different perspective that the patio grade

View from the deck

Showing the transition from higher points of the garden down to lower grades

Mid slope view

Showing the lowest point in the slope

Paver patio and the East property line

Highlighting the trees by adding rainbow gravel at the base

Closer view of the lowest point of the slope

Elevated view from the deck

Closer view of the low part of the slope

Evergreen azaleas soften the hardscape and offer colorful spring blooms

Showing the curves of the gravel river

Stepping the fence heights down in tandem with the grades

Looking towards the Eastern property line

Late afternoon sun shows off the rich warm tones of the cedar fence

Looking up towards the North East corner of the property

Low maintenance evergreen planting arrangement provides easy visual appeal

Detail view of the pavers, fence and evergreen planting

This perspective shows the dramatic grade change along the Western side of the property - a 10' grade change from patio level to the highest corner

View looking West

Evergreen heathers will spread and provide a profusion of spring color

Showing the planting on the slope

At the NE corner of the property looking towards the house and deck

BEFORE - Looking towards the house and deck

Note the cherry tree for a reference point

AFTER - Looking towards the house and deck

View from the downslope side looking upward

Rainbow gravel surrounds the native rock, with large cedar bark chips in the background

Native site rocks positioned in the gravel river

A very unattractive view of the old landscape tie retaining wall from the upslope neighbor

BEFORE - Looking towards the back neighbors' retaining wall

Screening with a horizontal cedar fence provided the best solution to improve the view

IN PROGRESS - Looking towards the back neighbors retaining wall

Dramatic improvement of the view

AFTER - Looking towards the back neighbors retaining wall

View near the top of the slope in the NW corner looking down

BEFORE - Along the North Side of the property

View from the top of the slope looking down the gravel river

AFTER - Along the North side of the property

Early spring flowering heathers are planted at the top under the cedars

View from the top tier

From the top of the slope overlooking the walls, patio, deck and house

Looking towards house and deck

Pre-construction - hard-to-mow grass on the slope, and shapeless shrubs in awkward places

BEFORE - Looking towards house and deck

Dramatically improved, both visually and functionally

AFTER - Cleared out and well organized space

Pre construction

BEFORE - Looking South towards the house and street

Stepped, retained and planted in a functional and pleasing way

AFTER - Looking South towards the house and street

2D Landscape Design Plan