The architecture of this lovely home in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania boasts a vaulted, timber roof that makes quite a statement, and the backyard’s wooded perimeter provides privacy and tranquility. However, the land’s only role was hosting two large, concrete pads left behind by the previous owner. The outdoor space was unusable and unaccommodating, and didn’t fit the grandeur of the house. Naturally, these homeowners were eager to transform their backyard into a true outdoor living space where they could gather with family and friends for every memorable moment.
The existing concrete slabs were large and in great condition, and the homeowner hopes to add a swimming pool someday. To bring continuity, leverage the existing concrete, and pave the way for the pool, installing two sizes of Techo-Bloc’s Blu 60 Smooth paver collection was the clear choice. This allowed us to create a high-end artscape without tearing out perfectly good pavement. Our approach resulted in well-orchestrated elevations that will ensure proper watershed off the patio. The leveling is smooth and seamless, with no perceived height change.
As impressive as the home’s rooftop is, it offers no outdoor shelter from precipitation, so we built a multifunctional pergola with a mechanical louver roof system over the dining zone. Its roof was custom-built on-site, to perfectly fit, match, and attach to their home. With an integrated ceiling fan and lighting, they are now free to dine al fresco whenever they want.
It’s no secret that scent is the strongest sense tied to memories, and these homeowners set their hearts on the nostalgic fragrance of a campfire for their outdoor living space.
Sure to be a crowd-pleaser, the kitchen features a wood-burning Karma pizza oven complemented by a Blaze grill and a custom, thirteen-foot slab of leathered, steel gray granite. The whole outdoor kitchen was built, one brick at a time, on a footer with concrete piers that sit below the frost level to prevent the base from shifting.
In the lounge area, a large and inviting fire pit stands ready for kindling, logs, and s’mores supplies, but the piece we’re most proud of is the custom seating. The one-of-a-kind, cedar bench that we engineered to last a lifetime is truly a work of art. It matches the home’s distinct, timber roof and the built-in lighting system creates the illusion that the bench top is floating.
Before, this family’s backyard was an impractical and uninviting space that clashed with the home’s upscale beauty. Now, these homeowners are enjoying the views, the aromas, and the cherished company that comes with a high-end outdoor living space that checks all their boxes.
See below how we brought the final design to life.
THE DESIGN | By Jared Johnston
THE FINAL
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