Hardscape can be defined as the inanimate elements of landscaping. Stone or block walls, concrete or brick patios and pathways, wooden decks and wooden arbors would all be considered part of the hardscape. By nature, they are the more stable, unchanging structures of the landscape. As such, they have become very important to the current trend of sustainable construction practices in the landscape industry. Their maintenance by comparison to the living landscape elements is minimal, and their popularity has grown as more and more people are enjoying their private outdoor living spaces.

We design hardscapes for both practical and aesthetic applications. Difficult slopes can be made useful with well designed terracing using retaining walls and steps. A remote and perhaps unused area of the garden can become a “destination” with the construction of a brick paver sitting area, creating a relaxing and private retreat, and a new vantage point to view one’s garden. A meandering pathway through a wooden arbor can invite exploration and connect outdoor rooms. The inclusion of a stone fire pit in a patio provides an evening gathering place for a campfire in one’s own backyard. Adding a dry creek bed of boulders and river rock in an area of the landscape that is too wet to manage can function as a drain, while being soothing to the eye. We can even design and build outdoor kitchens complete with tile counter tops, stainless steel sinks, stove tops and barbeques, refrigerators, and low voltage lighting. All of these hardscapes will add greatly to the value of the landscape and to the property as a whole.