Severe Slope Not a Deterrent to Backyard Project

By Gregory Harris, LCDBM

The sweeping staircase leading from the pool deck up to the courtyard area and two-tiered deck is considered the centerpiece of this project. The space to the right underneath the deck has been enclosed to create a storage room/pool equipment room. Siding was used on the room to match the existing siding on the house. All Photos: Carville Landscape Co.

Crews from Carville Landscape Co. are installing steps and retaining walls using the Eagle Bay Highland retaining wall in blue ridge color and Eagle Bay bullnose coping in sahara color. They are also installing Vista step lights underneath the bullnose coping. The deck is being constructed using composite materials. Carville crews did not do the deck construction.

After purchasing their newly-built dream home, a Virginia couple wanted to construct an outdoor living space that included a large deck off the second level of the home that led down to a swimming pool, hot tub and
outdoor fireplace.

The fact that their existing backyard had a 20 percent slope did not deter these homeowners. A call to Glen Allen, Va.-based Carville Landscape Co. insured the clients that their dream of an outdoor entertaining area would become a reality.

In the early stages of the project, a footer for the retaining wall was dug using a mini excavator. The slope of the backyard can be seen in this photo, illustrating the task facing the landscape crew.

The retaining wall necessary to create the outdoor entertainment areas begins to take shape. Crews used Diamond Pro wall block reinforced with geogrid, with #10 fines used as compacted backfill. Here the drain tile is exposed which runs the entire length of the base of the wall.

''The first thing that had to be done was to build a retaining wall,'' said Carville Landscape Designer Ian Miller.

The 10-foot tall segmental block retaining wall allowed for the creation of a level space for the swimming pool and patio areas. The retaining wall was reinforced with 300 tons of #57 stone geogrid and 400 tons of compacted backfill. A commercial grade ornate black aluminum fence was installed on the wall with the idea that it fit in with the size of the project.

Once the retaining wall was built, a two-tiered space was created, with 1,000 square feet of level space for the pool area and an additional 150 square feet for an upper patio area. Another 150 square feet was made available for an outdoor fireplace and seating area. An outdoor kitchen is in the planning stages for the site, with 500 square feet available for that feature.

The finished retaining wall is shown. An Eagle Bay Diamond Pro wall was used in blue ridge color. The wall was reinforced with 300 tons of geogrid and 400 tons of compacted backfill. Engineers were involved for testing and inspections as the wall went up.

The custom fireplace serves as an anchor to the patio area. The fireplace consists of MasterCut Hickory Lake natural stone for the veneer on the fireplace and also for the elevated wall on the hot tub side of the pool. Thermal finish Natural Bluestone slabs were used for the fireplace hearth, mantel and trim details.

A mix of hardscapes was used on the project, including a combination of bluestone patios and concrete paver pathways. The project included the installation of Belgard Dublin Cobble random pattern with a dublin cobble circle kit. These pavers were chosen to match the pavers that were installed in the front walkway when the house was built.

Another focal point of the project was the construction of an outdoor fireplace. The fireplace consists of MasterCut Hickory Lake natural stone for the veneer on the fireplace and also for the elevated wall on the hot tub side of the pool. Thermal finish Natural Bluestone slabs were used for the fireplace hearth, mantel and trim details. The fireplace and the 18-inch wall surrounding the swimming pool use the Hickory Lake stone.

A centerpiece to this project was the construction of the sweeping staircase that leads from the pool deck up to the courtyard area and two-tiered deck.

Miller noted the Carville crews performed all of the work on this project except for the swimming pool installation and deck build. For much of the six-month project, three crewmembers were on site, increasing to seven or eight crew members as needed.

In this view of the two-tiered pool deck, the project featured the use of Eagle Bay bullnose coping on the pool to match the step treads. A soldier course of Pinehall pathway brick border for the coping and full color natural flagstone was used for the pool deck. The veneer on the elevated wall in front of the hot tub consists of MasterCut Hickory Lake Stone.

The overall project featured the installation of Belgard Dublin Cobble random pattern with a dublin cobble circle kit. These pavers were chosen to match the pavers that were installed in the front walkway when the house was built.

''Our guys installed all of the hardscaping, irrigation work and landscape lighting,'' he said.

Miller said the Hunter irrigation lines had been installed by the homebuilder prior to Carville's involvement in the project, adding that Carville reconfigured the irrigation system and added irrigation to the plant beds and turf areas. As for the lighting, 40 Vista step lights were installed, as well as 20 path lights and 15 uplights.

''The uplights and deck post lights are primarily for aesthetics while the step lights were installed for safety, though they also add to the aesthetics,'' Miller said.

Miller said the homeowners want to perform the bulk of the landscape work at their own pace, adding that they ''are thrilled'' with the finished product.

''We started the project at the wall and worked out from there,'' Miller said. ''The whole backyard is essentially made up of multiple smaller entertaining areas.