Exposed aggregate driveway after cleaning & sealing with Paver Gloss Sealer.
Photo of a mid-sized front yard driveway in Detroit.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

This custom floating deck was built to solve a tricky side-yard challenge—snow accumulation, uneven terrain, and obstructed access to basement window wells. We installed a sleek, weather-resistant composite deck system that floats above the grade and steps cleanly over two basement egress windows. The deck provides a dry, level walking surface in an otherwise sloped, icy zone. It’s built with proper clearance for drainage and venting, and framed with a self-supporting platform that keeps all utilities accessible. The fascia is mitered clean, matching the modern look of the home while protecting the framing below. Details Framing: Pressure-treated joists with adjustable deck blocks—no anchoring to foundation Decking: Grooved composite planks with hidden fasteners for a seamless surface Trim: Full-wrap mitered fascia around all visible sides Features: Cutout access over egress well; integrated step; zero-penetration design Conditions: Built during cold-weather season with snow on-site and minimal disruption to landscape Result The client now has year-round access along the home—no more slipping on ice or dodging around window wells. This deck brought utility and design together in a clean, functional install that looks like it was always meant to be there.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

Highlighting the dramatic transformation of the house and backyard landscape. The exterior of the home has been completely modernized with a fresh white and charcoal colour scheme, new siding, and updated black window trims. The lower-level exterior has been refreshed with new cladding, clean lines, and modern lighting fixtures that enhance the overall aesthetic. The backyard has been completely revitalized with a lush, even green lawn, replacing the previously uneven and patchy terrain. A well-defined garden bed with vibrant flowers runs along the base of the house, adding colour and structure. The area around the large trees has been neatly landscaped with mulch, creating a natural and polished look. A hammock has been installed between the trees, enhancing the backyard’s appeal as a relaxing outdoor space. The aging wooden fence has been refreshed, complementing the updated home design. This renovation has transformed the property into a stylish, inviting, and functional living space.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Nestled in an undeveloped thicket between two homes on Monmouth road, the Eastern corner of this client’s lot plunges ten feet downward into a city-designated stormwater collection ravine. Our client challenged us to design a home, referencing the Scandinavian modern style, that would account for this lot’s unique terrain and vegetation. Through iterative design, we produced four house forms angled to allow rainwater to naturally flow off of the roof and into a gravel-lined runoff area that drains into the ravine. Completely foregoing downspouts and gutters, the chosen design reflects the site’s topography, its mass changing in concert with the slope of the land. This two-story home is oriented around a central stacked staircase that descends into the basement and ascends to a second floor master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The main entrance—a triangular form subtracted from this home’s rectangular plan—opens to a kitchen and living space anchored with an oversized kitchen island. On the far side of the living space, a solid void form projects towards the backyard, referencing the entryway without mirroring it. Ground floor amenities include a bedroom, full bathroom, laundry area, office and attached garage. Among Architecture Office’s most conceptually rigorous projects, exterior windows are isolated to opportunities where natural light and a connection to the outdoors is desired. The Monmouth home is clad in black corrugated metal, its exposed foundations extending from the earth to highlight its form.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.

Perched high above the coastline, this hillside oasis in Pacific Palisades boasts breathtaking ocean and beach views. The outdoor living space features a covered patio with a wooden structure and a retractable textile cover, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. The patio floor is adorned with concrete pavers and tiles, crisscrossed by channels of glued gravel, creating a unique visual appeal. Relax in style in the lounge area by the fire pit or gather around the modern dining table with a view that's second to none. Entertain effortlessly at the BBQ station with a freestanding grill and a sleek bar area complete with a sink and refrigerator. This design plays with the terrain's slope, creating multiple lounge spaces that frame and maximize the stunning vistas. Modern fountains and carefully selected plantings enhance the experience, with subtle Asian-inspired accents adding an air of sophistication. Experience the allure of Stout Design Build landscaping design build studio and construction design build studio in California. Redefine hillside living in Pacific Palisades with this modern coastal masterpiece.