Tandem

Our favorite projects include a close relationship with clients during the design and building phases. In this case, our client was excited to work alongside us, taking on parts of the project herself during and after our workday ended. We were able to work up to a set budget, knowing that the client could continue from there, making a large installation much more manageable in cost and more approachable since we would be on site to give guidance whenever needed.

The driving challenges were the constructed slopes that overwhelmed the feel of the site. Since these were practically-built slopes for construction, there was very little natural feel to them – no undulations or variations in grade that you might find in a woodland. Failing retaining walls sparked the idea of using excess soil to extend the constructed slopes, adding dimensions to the backyard.

Another driving force was the client’s children. Since the site was already overtaken by buckthorn that the client had managed to cut back significantly since moving in, there was a lot of woody material on site we could use to create wattles, dead hedges, and log stairs to create a natural playscape (complete with slide on the slope! Can you spot it in the photos?)

A focus on native woodland plants and increasing the amount of shrubs and trees to add more dimension and verticality will help enclose the space as a refuge.

As the years go on, the client is dedicated to continuing to manage the Buckthorn and increasing the diversity of the site, as well as reaping the rewards of an extensive edible garden in the back and orchard in the front yard!

Selected Photos:

Before: A very long rectangular lot had the clients worried about erosion and curious about how to design the space to its full potential.

Uniform constructed slopes and failing retaining walls gave us an idea:

Let’s extend the slope after the retaining walls are rebuilt to create more movement on site (and keep material from being hauled away!) Many thanks to this contractor who was willing to get creative in this.

The new slopes had us redesigning on the fly, and this ramp/staircase combo emerged.

It’s a lot of mulch now, but as the plants grow in, they will feel more like planted islands nestled into mulch pathways.

Before: The client had started clearing buckthorn and a path through the wooded slope.

After: all that woody material was used to create wattles that allowed us to cut a level path into the slope of the hill, and use logs as stairs to traverse difficult grades.

Double retaining walls act as a path, and boulders and plants help manage erosion on the slopes.

Client:

Private Residential

Maple Grove, MN

Project Start:

Fall 2025

Project Duration:

3 weeks, client continuing on