Beaverton Backyard Oasis 

Located in the heart of Beaverton Oregon, this transformation stretches the boundary of perfection.    When we first arrived, we needed rubber boots to access the backyard as it was under 2-3" of water throughout the entire rainy season. Not only was the property lower than the neighboring yards, the patio was the lowest point of the backyard and was in a constant state of near flooding during heavy rains. The Homeowner wanted us to help make their yard accessible, so the dogs could go outside without being sopping wet and muddy when they reentered the house. They wanted to be able to entertain guests both inside and outside year-round.

Challenge Accepted!

In an effort to better understand the severity of the situation we waited a number of weeks for a heavy rainfall. Upon revisiting the jobsite, we were able to conclude that the back of house needed a series of drain systems, excavation and hardscape, to direct surface water into drains and out to the street.  As well as areas designed to move a larger volume of water at the subgrade.

PNW weather is unforgiving if your property is not equipped with proper drainage. Sometimes, it's not as simple as French Drains and downspout tie-ins. After much discussion, we landed on splitting the project into two phases. Once the infrastructure for phase one was complete and we started to rebuild the subgrade, we would discuss and propose a plan for the rest of the backyard.

So, we got to work. We removed 50 cubic yards of top soil, clay and turf. Dug over 1000 feet of trenches for lighting, irrigation, and drainage. All during the rainy season, it was an absolute mess!

We used 50 pieces of plywood to avoid causing further damage to the subgrade and deep pockets of saturated clay. It was a long slow process to ensure we did not back ourselves into a corner during the building process.

During the design process there were a few items that the client was interested in, but was unsure if they wanted to commit to, such as raised planters and a waterfall. We left room for discussion by adding the necessary plumbing and drainage to accommodate those items if she wanted to move forward at that phase. After watching us for a couple of months in the mud and rain, our beloved client knew we would only provide them with top-tier results, and gave us the green light to change their life.

3 Custom Water Features. Fully Automated and Integrated Lighting, Irrigation and Drain Systems. Winding Synthetic Turf and Flagstone Paths. Fully functional Dry River Beds. Natural Stone Retaining and Raised Beds with Grey Basalt and Premium Blended Soil. Custom Planter Boxes. Optimized Planting Zones. New Driveway. New Fence and Gates. Signature Boulder Placements and Bark.

Designing and building this project was a gift in itself, but being able to see the incredible impact it has had on this family has been a privilege we hold very dear to us. Scenarios like these help us remember we are not just contractors; we are artists who paint a better life for you to live.

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