Landscape Architects & Designers Near Oakland

A family with five energetic kids and a rambling new bloodhound pooch needed a better connection to the outdoors in their terraced hillside home, overlooking the historic Mountain View Cemetery. The steep and disconnected terraces made life outdoors feel miles away. The clients expressed to us that when they thought about going outside, they often didn’t. Now, more functional stairs with generous pauses make a multi-story journey to the backyard easy to do every day. And their tall house and hillside are more integrated with playful twists, turns, and swings that invite the kids (and pup) out to play. At the top of the slope, a dining area and BBQ invites the family to dine al fresco on mild California nights, right next to a bountiful garden of raised beds for growing veggies and herbs for cooking. On the next terrace, a shaded gathering space features curved seating which opens up to the soccer stadium below, where kids and canines of all ages perform. A concrete bench and wood timbers are the local climbing gym, and custom, locally fabricated shade sails provide cover from the midday sun. Below the soccer field, a hillside of reclaimed stumps and planks invite playful alternatives to the stairs for traversing the hillside. Near the trampoline below, custom fabricated swings and a pull-up bar frame the views of the cemetery with its beautiful mature trees, and invite the kids to romp and play together through native and low-water plantings that attract pollinators - and even nesting bald eagles! And when the kids need a break, a custom drinking fountain near locally-reclaimed timber benches invites thirsty two- and four-legged playmates to have a rest.

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This project restored a creekside landscape that had been overtaken by non-native plants. While working within the complex constraints of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, and in close coordination with biologists and other consultants, we were still able to create a richly planted, beautiful space that reflected the client’s vision. The design incorporates a wide range of locally adapted native plants, including species traditionally used by Native American communities. The palette was selected for its ability to bring seasonal color, thrive in riparian conditions, support pollinators, and stabilize the creek bank. Overlook and seating areas offer quiet places to take in the landscape. The result is a space that feels grounded and alive, responsive to both the site’s environmental needs and the client’s desire for beauty, color, and meaning. Photography Credit: Julia Aue Photography (https://www.juliaauephotography.com/) (Designed while working with MLA)

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