In Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood, a remodel was underway when SCJ Studio entered the scene - after quickly assessing the site we realized that the contractor's plan to keep the existing driveway for an under house garage (that was to be abandoned) would be a big mistake. We recommended removal and equally critical, relocated a basement door to the side yard. Both changes enabled the large deck and lower terrace you see today in the photos. Working with steep topography side to side in the backyard, the LA team proposed curved concrete walls to mitigate slope along the alley to provide a flat play lawn for the grandkids. A basement ADU was given its own private courtyard with secure access gates and lighting separate from the main home. In all, the transformation was striking, made even more meaningful with some thoughtful landscape architecture decisions.