Often in the course of doing one client’s garden, the neighbors become clients as well. This project is such an example. Here, the backyard was a matter of a concrete pad and a heap of builders’ garbage. To meet the client’s goals for an inviting entertaining space, we first built an ipe deck as a transition from apartment to garden, and rendered that an area for lounging and sitting. Beyond that deck is a sunken “living room” in the middle, defined by an18–inch deep, curved concrete seating wall and paved with irregular bluestone. Concrete steps lead the way from deck to sunken area, which accommodates more seating, the BBQ grill, a bar, and—often—the party.