The goal was to transform a steep, unsafe sloped backyard with poor drainage, weeds and diseased fruit trees into an aesthetically pleasing, functional and private urban landscape.

The homeowners wanted to create a sense of privacy without sacrificing light or views, to gain as much usable space as possible, and to forge a strong connection with nature through outdoor living spaces that would draw the family outside.

Through decks, stairs, rockeries and creative grading the backyard has been transformed into a very usable space. Design elements include:
--Replacing a nondescript concrete walkway with a curving bluestone path to the front door
--A number of large boulders, including a very colorful 8.3-ton specimen that serves as the centerpiece of the front yard
A multi-tiered staircase that snakes down a steep, previously unnavigable slope
--An eight-foot tall metal mesh fence/arbor that adds both privacy and a convenient area to grow peas/edibles
--A lower lawn area including a vegetable and other edibles garden and a lawn suitable for badminton

Sustainable garden features include:
--Three 550-gallon cisterns to capture rainwater from downspouts
--Drip irrigation system from cisterns
--Drought tolerant plantings
--Plantings that attract birds and other wildlife
--Edible garden
--Recycled concrete crushed gravel
--Recycled soils and mulches
--Pervious pavement driveway system
A large pine tree that needed to be removed was donated to a local Native American carver for his work