Design–Build Driveway & Landscape Project in Aurora

Wilkinson Place

Project Overview

The Wilkinson Place project was a comprehensive front and rear landscape design–build completed on a corner property in Aurora. The scope focused on upgrading the driveway, front entry, planting, and lighting, while also addressing settlement issues and improving functionality in the backyard.Although the existing landscape was generally well established, the project required careful material selection, grade management, and integration between new and existing elements to achieve a cohesive and durable result.

Site Conditions and Constraints

Several site-specific factors influenced both the design and construction approach:

A corner lot with good access at the front of the property
A steeper grade at the driveway requiring careful transition between elevations
Tighter access to the backyard, requiring wheelbarrow-only material movement
An existing pool at the rear with areas of settlement that needed correction

These conditions were addressed early in the planning phase to ensure smooth execution during construction.

Before Pictures

Design Approach

The design focused on creating a unified front elevation and improving circulation while respecting the existing character of the home. Material selection played a central role in achieving this outcome.

Sandblasted Venetian Crema natural stone was used for the front walkway and feature areas, providing a refined texture and a colour range well suited to the home’s exterior. Lavender Indian sandstone was selected for steps and coping to maintain visual continuity while offering durability at high-wear locations.

For the driveway, Beacon Hill Flagstone by Unilock was chosen for its performance characteristics and its ability to tie the overall palette together at a larger scale. A low front wall feature was incorporated near the street to provide visual structure without enclosing the space.

Columnar oak trees were introduced at the front of the property to add vertical structure and a modest degree of privacy, while keeping long-term maintenance requirements low.

Landscape Design-Build

Construction and Execution

Construction began with the removal of the existing asphalt driveway. The base was rebuilt to ensure long-term stability before the new interlock driveway was installed. Special attention was given to managing the transition across two grades to maintain proper drainage and a clean visual line.

At the rear of the property, areas of interlock near the pool that had settled over time were carefully lifted and repaired. An additional section was added adjacent to the pool to create functional space for lounge seating, with new materials matched closely to the existing installation.

Due to limited access to the backyard, all materials were transported by wheelbarrow, requiring careful sequencing and site organization to minimize disruption and maintain efficiency.

Planting and lighting were completed at both the front and rear of the property to tie the project together and improve usability throughout the day and evening.

Final Outcome

Functionally, the project improved driveway performance, corrected settlement issues near the pool, and added usable outdoor space at the rear of the property. Circulation and transitions between grades were resolved cleanly.

Visually, the completed landscape presents a cohesive and balanced front elevation, with materials and planting working together to support the architecture of the home. The result is a refined, low-maintenance outdoor environment built to perform over time.