Project Overview
This landscape design-build project, completed in 2021, transformed the backyard of a new home in Downtown Dundas, Ontario. The homeowners wanted a functional and beautiful outdoor space where their young family could spend time together.
The centerpiece of the project is a luxurious outdoor kitchen, designed to blend into the surrounding hardscape and support everyday outdoor living. As a local example of landscaping in Dundas, this project shows how thoughtful planning can make a compact backyard feel practical, polished, and family-friendly.
The Backyard Challenge
Midway through construction, an issue arose when the city had not signed off on the grading plans. This required the installation of an exfiltration system approved by an engineer.
The solution included a large 6’x10’ catch basin system, with a hole dug 8 feet deep through difficult rocky terrain. The hardscape also had to be carefully sloped to meet strict engineering standards without disrupting the overall backyard design.
The Design-Build Solution
Our team integrated the catch basin lid into the stonework near the outdoor kitchen, helping the drainage system feel like part of the finished design rather than an afterthought. This is where proper landscape design and careful construction planning made a major difference.
The project also replaced the existing concrete steps with modern stone steps, improving both the look and function of the backyard. The final layout maximized the small backyard space while still leaving room for the family’s three children to play.
Key Features
- Outdoor Kitchen: A stylish and functional cooking and dining area that became the centerpiece of the backyard.
- Modern Stone Steps: New stone steps replaced the existing concrete steps and improved access to the backyard.
- Maximized Play Area: The layout made the most of a relatively small backyard while leaving space for three young children to play.
- Hidden Drainage System: The exfiltration system and catch basin helped meet drainage and engineering standards while staying integrated into the finished stonework.
The Finished Backyard
The result is a sophisticated, family-friendly backyard that balances outdoor cooking, durable hardscaping, modern stonework, drainage performance, and usable play space.
This project is a strong example of luxury landscaping that still has to work for everyday family life. It shows how Creative Concepts can solve practical construction challenges while keeping the finished outdoor space clean, cohesive, and beautiful.
Planning a Similar Backyard Project?
If you are planning a backyard project with an outdoor kitchen, stonework, grading changes, or drainage considerations, Creative Concepts can help you move from idea to finished outdoor space. You can also view more examples in our project gallery or request a call back to discuss your project.
