Landscape Design Certificate Capstone

Limited property size restricted additions like a carport

Inefficient access and circulation to the home

Drainage issues along the fence line

Lack of defined outdoor living, storage, and pet zones

Desire for native planting, wildlife support, and food production

User-centered planning: Designed around daily routines—parking, unloading, grilling, pet use, and maintenance

Circulation & flow: Prioritized clear, intuitive paths from parking to entry and between outdoor zones

Comfort & usability: Reduced friction points like weather exposure, bugs, and carrying equipment

Sightline design: Maintained clean, intentional views across porch, patio, and yard

Habitat integration: Balanced human use with dedicated spaces for wildlife

Low-maintenance strategy: Integrated durable materials and native planting for long-term ease

Improved parking & access: Added a permeable concrete turnaround for easy entry, exit, and maneuvering

Seamless entry experience: Relocated gate and created a direct, protected path from car to front door

Bug-free outdoor living: Designed a screened porch for comfortable lounging and dining without insects

Convenient grilling: Positioned the deck for easy access from the kitchen while keeping it out of main traffic flow

Functional outdoor zones: Organized porch, deck, and fire pit patio into distinct but connected areas

Accessible storage: Added a shed for yard tools, trash/compost, and firewood near key use areas

Pet-friendly design: Included a separate, fenced dog area to protect planting zones

Native planting: Used winterberry, dogwood, Culver’s root, Christmas ferns, and Virgin’s Bower for structure, privacy, and habitat

Wildlife features: Integrated a bird feeder, water feature, and views to bird-supporting plantings from key seating areas

Dedicated habitat zones: Preserved unmaintained areas outside the fence to support wildlife and natural growth cycles

Edible + low-maintenance front yard: Expanded garden beds and replaced turf with white clover

Drainage solution: Installed a buried system to redirect downspout runoff

Effortless daily use: Smooth transitions from car to home, kitchen to grill, and storage to yard work

Comfortable outdoor living: Screened porch and defined zones allow use in more conditions with fewer interruptions

Time-saving design: Reduced hauling, mowing, and maintenance through smart placement and materials

Multi-season functionality: Fire pit and porch extend usability throughout the year

Enhanced habitat: Supports birds, pollinators, and wildlife through native planting and dedicated natural areas

Cohesive experience: Functional decisions drive a clean, unified design