Aurora Back yard Design —— 30/60 Geometry: A Grading and Spatial Solution for Sloped Yards

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Junning Wang

11.July.2025

Horvath Landscapes Inc.

3D Rendering Picture

The project, located in Aurora, Ontario, involves a highly complex residential backyard. Although the project is not yet confirmed for construction, the design has been largely approved by the client. This article documents the key challenges and the design thinking that guided our approach — particularly how we navigated extreme grading conditions while balancing function, aesthetics, and cost.

The site’s defining characteristic is its dramatic elevation change: the backyard sits approximately 9 feet below the front yard. A narrow path at the back of the property continues downhill, leading to a swale and eventually connecting to a narrow natural stream, more like a shallow ditch than a river.

The existing landscape includes a swimming pool and a relatively small wood deck, which is aligned with the front yard elevation. However, due to the slope, the back side of the house — visually and spatially — reads as a basement level. The yard is heavily shaded by surrounding trees, with only the pool and part of the patio receiving full sun. Notably, there’s a two-step (7” each) drop between the pool patio and the patio at the back door, connected by a low retaining wall. This height difference visually and functionally divides the space.

Unifying the Backyard at One Elevation

Early in the design process, we considered whether the entire backyard could function as a single, unified elevation. After exploring both options — lowering the backdoor patio or raising the pool zone — we ultimately decided to raise the pool patio. The yard is large enough to accommodate this adjustment, and doing so would allow us to remove the steps and small retaining wall altogether.

After running site grading calculations and simulating a 2% slope required for interlock paving, we determined that raising the pool area by 10 inches and lowering the back door patio by 4 inches would be sufficient to achieve drainage and level continuity.

An important structural advantage emerged during this process: the client already had a large number of armour stones on site. We proposed reusing these materials to support the raised patio, which would allow us to avoid installing a new retaining wall — significantly reducing construction cost. Additionally, the original patio had been installed starting from the sill top, which made it feel oversized and unrefined. Adjusting its height would help realign the architecture with the landscape.

Why 30/60 Geometry?

Top view

The spatial geometry of this design is based on a 30/60-degree system, not for visual novelty but as a direct response to existing site conditions.

First, the original pool already aligned close to a 30° axis. Since the client hoped to reuse that location and orientation to avoid costly excavation, it made sense to allow the pool to define the layout. Additionally, the usable area of the backyard is quite narrow — tree lines along both sides heavily limit flexibility. A 90° layout would feel forced, while diagonal geometry allows space to unfold naturally.

Circulation patterns further supported this logic. The back door and second-floor deck stairs are located at the southeast corner, while a small trail exits through the northwest. This created a natural diagonal movement across the yard. We simply formalized that diagonal and allowed it to structure the design.

What Was Kept, What Was Adjusted

Perspective View

The client wished to retain most of the core features — especially the pool, albeit redesigned. There were no specific planting preferences, though low-maintenance and moisture-tolerant species were emphasized.

We decided to maintain the existing patio area and repair the deck, adjusting the staircase for improved circulation. Given the shading, we removed 2–3 trees to increase light in targeted zones. Privacy was also a concern — the yard is enclosed by a 3-foot chain-link fence, which offers little screening. We addressed this by introducing planting buffers around key functional areas.

The yard was functionally divided into two zones:

• A dining and fire pit sitting area near the house

• A recreation zone around the pool, with a swing and loungers

  
  

The sitting area was based on the client’s original layout. To enlarge and formalize the space, we removed the overhead tree and introduced a fire pit. Since the area lacked privacy, we planted a screen of Hicks Yew, which also reinforced the site’s geometric framework.

Planting Zones: Structure, Privacy, and Shade

The swing area was framed with a multi-shrub composition centered around Purpleleaf Sandcherry, combined with Silver Leaf Dogwood, Inkberry Holly, and Hydrangea ‘Incrediball’. This planting strategy allowed us to balance privacy screening and seasonal interest, with a layered, colorful edge.

Swing Area

A previously unused, fully shaded northeast corner was transformed into a quiet water feature area. Rather than serving as a focal point, the feature was designed to add ambient sound to the yard. The planting mix includes Vinca as groundcover, layered with Japanese forest grass and Hosta ‘Blue Angel’, creating a soft, tranquil woodland mood.

Shade Water Feature Planting Bed

Rethinking Artificial Turf

In this project, we also incorporated artificial turf — a material often overlooked or misunderstood. Many clients still associate it with the plastic appearance of earlier generations. But today’s artificial grass is widely accepted within the industry, including our own practice.

Its advantages are clear:

• Highly resistant to temperature extremes (ideal for Zone 5a)

• No maintenance

• Color stability year-round

• Affordable installation and easy replacement

  
  

In sunny but functionally challenging corners of the yard, it provides a clean, accessible, and cost-effective alternative to lawn or mulch.

Lighting: Quiet but Transformational

Night View

Finally, lighting plays a key role in tying the experience together. Especially in the northeast water feature zone, we relied on path lights and scope lighting to quietly reinforce spatial character after dark.

A well-considered lighting plan does more than improve safety — it adds visual hierarchy and rhythm to the garden. And when compared with the cost of hardscaping or structural planting, landscape lighting offers one of the highest returns per dollar spent. It’s an investment we always recommend when aiming for a fully immersive backyard experience.

This project, though not yet built, reflects our core design values: site responsiveness, functional clarity, and long-term maintenance awareness. Facing dramatic grade change, inconsistent sun exposure, and material reuse constraints, we developed a framework that is both practical and spatially expressive — and we look forward to seeing it realized.

Junning Wang

11.July.2025

Horvath Landscapes Inc.