Alma street

renovation | West point grey

This urban garden renovation exemplifies well the capacity of a site to, given thoughtful planning, fulfill many functions. Just in this backyard, a cedar deck and an informal gravel patio extend the main living space of the home, a snug custom sauna sits opposite from long planters packed with various edible crops, and varied plantings offer visual and wildlife interest year-round.

In the frontyard, the irregular terrain was levelled and contained, and the entry porch was extended west into a narrow seating/viewing area. A shallow copper dish sits on a plinth, as much a focal point as a treat to visiting birds. The material palette – local cedar, traditional brick pavers and raw steel – all contribute to the overall warmth of this ambitious little garden.