Urban Yard | 2007 | Denver, Colorado  Located on an urban block in downtown Denver, this residential backyard was transformed from a weed-choked parking lot into a garden oasis for a family of four.

A series of ipe wood decks flow down from the back of the house into the garden. A table and bench are custom designed by the architect to complete a recycled brick-paved dining area. A brick-and-mortar cooking grill is built along the south wall to take advantage of afternoon shade. Hand-crafted gates radiate sunlight through translucent acrylic panels framed by vertical grain fir. The 4-foot-wide entry gate pivots on a vertical steel tube hinge to create a graceful entry to the garden.

Tree and shrub species are carefully chosen for their colors, proportions, and ability to adapt to the local climate. Columnar aspen against the alley wall create a living wall of privacy. A golden rain tree shades the deck and produces clusters of vibrant yellow flowers in early summer. A honey locust brings balance with its long limbs and symmetrical proportions. Maiden grasses grow between the decks to soften the hardwood surfaces.