The Hardscapes & Water Features Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. Suburban Oasis is one of several great projects we are excited to showcase on LandscapeArchitect.com.

 
The client envisioned an experience-driven space centered around a walk-in, swim-in grotto with dual entrances, a jump platform, a swim-up bar with glowing fiber-optic seating, and a sprawling integrated spa. Layered throughout the design were resort-inspired details, including sunken lounges, a reef ledge, fire and water features, an outdoor kitchen, and multiple televisions positioned for seamless entertaining.

The project, however, faced challenges far beyond design. Originally expected to take just one year, construction was dramatically delayed when the client became seriously ill with COVID-19, enduring a six-month hospitalization followed by an equally long recovery. At the same time, the property itself posed spatial constraints: the backyard was long, narrow, and shallow, with utility easements limiting usable square footage.

Rather than compromise the vision, the design embraced the challenge. A multi-level layout introduced dimension and created a series of outdoor "rooms," transforming the narrow footprint into an expansive experience. Sunken gathering spaces, elevated focal points, and carefully balanced amenities allowed the space to function equally well for quiet evenings or large celebrations. Strategic lighting, integrated audio, and dramatic fire and water elements completed the transformation-turning a constrained backyard into a resort escape built around entertainment and connection.

To see more Hardscapes & Water Feature projects, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/landscape-articles/lasns-hardscapes-water-features-issue

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php