- Location
- Sewickley, PA
- Completed
- August 2025
- On site
- 5 weeks
The brief
What we did
An enclosed courtyard that had been paved corner to corner in failing concrete. We took the whole surface out, reset the levels, and split the space into a planted edge and a sheltered seating area.
Because the courtyard is overlooked on three sides, the planting does a lot of work — layered evergreen structure for year-round screening, with lighting to make the space usable in the evening.
Scope of work
- Demolition and removal of existing concrete
- New levels and drainage
- Paved seating area with built-in bench
- Layered evergreen and perennial planting
- Low-voltage lighting scheme
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Tell us about your yard and we will put a fixed price against it.
Services used
What went into it
By the numbers
- 620 sq ft
- Courtyard rebuilt
- 5 wks
- On site
- 3 sides
- Overlooked
- 40+
- Plants installed
The brief
Concrete corner
to corner
An enclosed courtyard paved wall to wall in failing concrete, overlooked on three sides, and used for nothing but the bins.
We took the whole surface out, reset the levels, and split the space into a planted edge and a sheltered place to sit.
- Existing slab removed rather than built over
- Levels reset with falls to a new drainage channel
- Evergreen structure for year-round screening
Build sequence
How it was built
-
01
Demolition
Broke out and removed the existing slab; the hardcore went to a recycler.
-
02
Levels
New falls set and a drainage channel run to the lower garden.
-
03
Build
Paved seating area with a built-in bench along the sheltered wall.
-
04
Planting and light
Layered evergreen screening, then a low-voltage scheme for the evening.
Details
What made the difference
-
Year-round screening
Evergreen structure so the privacy does not disappear in winter.
-
Evening lighting
Zoned low-voltage scheme that makes the space usable after work.
-
One contract
Design, demolition, hardscape, planting and lighting under one schedule.
-
Built-in seating
Bench built into the wall, so the floor stays clear.
Where it started
Before and after
“One crew, one schedule, and the drawings matched what got built. That is rarer than it should be.”