This historic home is located near Piedmont Park; the house is over 100 years old and has undergone extensive interior renovations. The house is accessed by an alley and the off-street parking was on a gravel pad in the backyard. Desiring to complete the home renovations by addressing the backyard the homeowners went on the MA Home Tour project for ideas. They found us through one of our previous projects on the tour. They contacted CORE with the goal of creating a usable, modern backyard with room for a carport, driveway, firepit and small grassed area. This was a challenge due to the lot size and city code regulations; however, the final design addressed all of their needs while maintaining a clean modern aesthetic. Once the design was finalized, permits approved and a budget was established we began the construction process. The hardscape materials consist of a 3000psi concrete driveway with running bond score joint pattern, poured concrete firepit, mini-slate chip firepit area, and Black Mexican pebble accents. Large concrete pavers create a walkway from the carport to the house, as a design feature they come across the stem of the driveway and extend over to the firepit area. The gaps between the concrete pavers are filled with Black Mexican pebbles in the driveway and dwarf mondo grass in the walkways. The carport was located at the back of the space and can be used as a covered entertaining space when the cars are removed. (The carport is currently under construction and should be done in about 2 weeks). The carport has a simple modern aesthetic of large wood beams, single pitch roof and concrete footings for the posts (see 3D model for reference). The central space of the backyard is the wood-burning firepit, it was constructed using circular concrete forms to create a perfect circle, and the surround square is mini-slate chips contained with metal edging. The landscape helps to reinforce the lines of the hardscapes while also creating a softer contrast due to the traditional plant selections. The low hedges, American boxwoods, hydrangeas and azaleas are all design features you’d find in a typical Buckhead home, but here it’s done with a modern flair. The trees are European Hornbeams which will stay tall and narrow. They are located to reinforce the firepit space and are up-light which creates a dramatic affect at night when using the firepit.