Berkeley

City Backyard

The owners of this newly renovated Cabbagetown house wanted an outdoor space that felt like a natural extension of their home. To create this extension, an ipê deck and boardwalk seamlessly connects the house to the modern garage. A striking corten steel water trough runs along the boardwalk, adding a contemporary touch to the serene outdoor space. Complementing the owners' choice of a pink door, the garden incorporates pink anemones and pink/purple lilac trees, ensuring various shades of pink throughout the changing seasons. Large birch trees with an underplanting of hakone and astilbe create a lush and vibrant ambiance. The versatile seating area, surrounded by garden beds and planters, converts from a low coffee table to a dining table for both lounging and dining. A hardwood screen creates privacy for an additional seating area with a fire pit. Despite the limited space of an urban backyard, the project successfully demonstrates the creation of distinct, functional zones that seamlessly coexist.

DESIGN: GLD
CONTRACTOR: METHOD HOMES
PHOTOGRAPHY: PATRICK BILLER