Maximizing Space in Wethersfield

This back yard refuge was constructed in a tiny back yard in the Historic District of Wethersfield.  I have to admit, when I saw the back yard for the first time, I was a bit skeptical that the town regulations would allow all of the items the client wanted to fit into this yard.  They wanted a pool, a new garage, some patio space and as much lawn space as possible.  After all the legal due diligence, and a few design revisions, the project was ready to move forward as I proposed. 

We needed to pay special attention to the drainage of the yard given the elevation of the pool and other new structures and the dense clay soils.  Because this site was so narrow, we had to work our way out of the yard- from the back to the front.  This means we had to treat the project basically as two separate projects- pool area, and porch/patio area. 

First, we installed a boulder retaining wall to elevate the pool area, then after the pool was installed, we installed the pool coping and pool patio.  Then we landscaped that upper area to completion because we would not be able to get back there with machinery later.  Then, we moved to the lower area and constructed the patio and outdoor kitchen.  Then we landscaped the final area in between the two spaces as we worked our way out through the space between the porch and new garage.