Stormwater, Softened

With increasingly severe storms causing erosion near a stone retaining wall just beyond the fence, this final phase addressed a high-impact runoff zone—redirecting water before it could destabilize the slope further.

Working in close collaboration with the contractor, we shaped a dry brook and planted catchment that slows, guides, and distributes flow—anchored by a subsurface drainage system beneath. What was once a fast-moving channel is now a sequence of sculpted swales and stonework, stitched seamlessly into the woodland edge.

At the same time, this space became a multi-purpose backyard retreat—centered around a natural flagstone terrace set into the grass, designed to hold both water and life:

• A place for the couple to unwind with a glass of wine

• A zone for the kids to lounge and gather with friends

• A space where the whole family can circle around a fire and mark the seasons

Designed to feel intuitive, grounded, and quietly beautiful, this final phase became the thread that tied the landscape together— a space shaped to move with the land, not against it.