Designing in the Ground

When outside of a digital space the same design process applies; research, discovery, defining problems and developing appropriate solutions. I included this landscape project because I believe my experience designing natural environments has trained me to think in systems at multiple scales and has made me a more grounded designer overall.

Context

I worked with clients to redesign their backyard. They had been struggling with a yard that frequently flooded, made poor use of space, and was not integrated into the larger landscape around it.

Compared to product design, a yard is relatively low risk and its impact rather local. I would argue, however, in this context the consideration of the complex relationship

Design Perameters

  • Fix flooding problem on west side of yard

    Include space for dog

    Incorporate space for owner's "tree garden"

    Low budget

    More space to sit

    More native plants

  • Heavy grade change

    Wet clay/silt soils

    Heavy flooding

    Mostly shaded

    Heavy winds

    Deep freeze in winter

Site Analysis

I started by collecting data on existing conditions of the yard, spending several hours mapping every detail of the space. Next, I conducted a contextual interview walking the property with the owners to determine user needs and pain points. Using the compiled data, I detailed site conditions and user needs into a comprehensive site analysis.

The concept focuses on creating several key nodes or outdoor rooms within the landscape. The yard flows from a lowland environment, including a rain garden and native woodlands, into an open grassland and pollinator garden, finally making its way up rocky terraces to the expansive patio. This concept was selected because it includes a protected tree garden that the owner can put his collected saplings.

Design Concepts

Section Elevations

The open yard flows away from the house with a fine gravel walkway into a separated fire pit and patio great for hosting friends and family. Next to the Patio is a tree garden perfect for those found saplings and transplants. Surrounding the tree garden is an old, New England style stonewall, curved to create visual interest and defined boundaries between the garden and open lawn.

The Lawn is big enough for most activities one can imagine and the relocated shed and yard waste bin is tucked away while still being conveniently located. Next to the shed is a berry patch to yield fresh raspberries and blueberries all summer long.

Final
Schematic

The Patio is complete with a circular hot tub built flush with the deck to preserve the clean lines found on the rest of the site. The edge of the patio is space to get creative using annual plantings and even vegetables and herbs. Each environment is designed to keep a wild aesthetic, while maintaining the tailored form of an inhabited space.