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Big Outdoor living in a Small Backyard

The backyard of this hillside house, located in Redwood City, California, is only a bit over 3,000 sq.ft., but offers its residents a generous outdoor living that beside beautiful landscaping includes a hot tub, a sauna with outdoor shower, a resting area, and a glass roof dining area.

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The outdoor shower has a rectangular concrete slab and wood lattice that reinforce the clients’ preference for a modern look.
The outdoor shower has a rectangular concrete slab and wood lattice that reinforce the clients’ preference for a modern look.
The owners wanted to use their backyard as an everyday retreat, so a sauna with a small spa area was the ideal solution for the entire family to relax in a private atmosphere, but in a very limited space.
The owners wanted to use their backyard as an everyday retreat, so a sauna with a small spa area was the ideal solution for the entire family to relax in a private atmosphere, but in a very limited space.
The sauna, built out of cedar wood, is designed to comfortably fit four people.
The sauna, built out of cedar wood, is designed to comfortably fit four people.
Every inch of the backyard is put into use with a well planned and thought through design. Due to the steep backyard topography I-beam steel reinforced retaining walls are integrated as a design element. In order to maximize the use of space, the backyard is terraced into three levels each of which has a separate use and function.
Every inch of the backyard is put into use with a well planned and thought through design. Due to the steep backyard topography I-beam steel reinforced retaining walls are integrated as a design element. In order to maximize the use of space, the backyard is terraced into three levels each of which has a separate use and function.
The property’s proximity to the San Andreas Fault, less than 3 miles, is reflected in the design of the glass roof of the outdoor dining area which has heavy steel connectors in order to meet earthquake codes. This structure enhances the indoor/outdoor living quality tremendously, connecting the backyard and the house.
The property’s proximity to the San Andreas Fault, less than 3 miles, is reflected in the design of the glass roof of the outdoor dining area which has heavy steel connectors in order to meet earthquake codes. This structure enhances the indoor/outdoor living quality tremendously, connecting the backyard and the house.
The landscape design is a reflection of the persistent Californian droughts. The owners decided to implement xeriscaping with artificial turf instead of lawn, and native draught tolerant plants, to keep water consumption as low as possible. Water from a rainwater collection cistern is used for irrigation.
The landscape design is a reflection of the persistent Californian droughts. The owners decided to implement xeriscaping with artificial turf instead of lawn, and native draught tolerant plants, to keep water consumption as low as possible. Water from a rainwater collection cistern is used for irrigation.