Projects & local case studies in Lawrence

The situation: A family off Bob Billings Parkway in Alvamar, backing onto the old golf course land, had a yard that dropped off sharply past the deck. Water ran toward the house after every storm, the grade was too steep to furnish, and they had quietly given up on the space.

What we did: We started with a site evaluation and soil analysis, then designed a two-level plan in a 2D rendering. A segmental block retaining wall to hold the grade and create a flat pad, a paver patio on the new level, and a built-in grill wrapped by a low seating wall. We excavated, compacted the base, set a French drain behind the wall, laid the patio with edge restraints and polymeric sand joints, and finished with low-voltage lighting.

The outcome: The slope that nobody touched became a level, usable outdoor room, and the drainage problem was solved in the same build. The family signed on for seasonal maintenance. Finished in nine days.

The situation: A North Lawrence homeowner near Burcham Park had a timber retaining wall that was leaning and rotting after years in the area's dense, water-holding river bottom soil. It was one hard freeze from letting go.

What we did: We told them the real reason straight: no drainage and no proper base against clay-heavy river bottom soil that swells and shifts through freeze and thaw. We removed the failing wall and rebuilt with an engineered segmental block system on a deep compacted base, with gravel backfill and weep holes. The steepest section we terraced into two shorter walls for stability and planting shelves.

The outcome: A wall built for the ground it actually sits in. It held dead straight through the following winter with no movement. Rebuilt in about a week.

The situation: A family relocating into a new build off Wakarusa Drive had a flat, empty backyard and a wish list bigger than their first phase budget: patio, fire feature, walkway. New to town, they found us through a Lawrence neighborhood group.

What we did: We designed the complete yard in a 2D rendering so they could see the end goal, then helped them phase it. We were honest that they didn't need the largest patio option, and pointed them to a paver layout that fit the budget. Phase one was a paver patio, a fire feature ringed by a seating wall, and a walkway tying back to the driveway.

The outcome: A finished, usable outdoor room in phase one, a clear plan for phase two, and not a dollar wasted. They're on our maintenance plan and have already booked the next phase. Phase one finished in eight days.