Diverting Regale (ECA) – Montlake

This modern landscape project, located just above the arboretum in Seattle, wasn’t without it challenges. Working in a liquification and steep slope Environmentally Critical Area (ECA), we designed and installed a complete overhaul of a largely unusable backyard with slopes exceeding 15%. Any work in a Seattle ECA takes extra care to manage and we do our best to be in front of that providing our client the best of what can be seen as a bad situation.

The client had ample alley access and parking options above their lot, but accessing these areas was difficult, especially in fall and winter. We installed easy-to-walk circulation paths across steep slopes to create more socializing spaces to amplify entertaining in this cascading backyard. Additional parking in the alley is now easily accessed by a pervious foot path to the backdoor. Creating a fluid space to relax in was important to us so we made sure those spaces integrated with the areas around them by creating the deck at the same grade as the work surrounding it. We incorporated the mature trees on site, and were able to lower costs by reworking their existing deck framing. With a few tweaks to the deck we were able to reface it with a composite decking and incorporate it into the overall design.

Creating life changing events around people’s homes is our mission and we are pleased to hear our client can now have wonderful parties with friends and family in a way they never could have done previously.

Internal Resources

Seattle ECA Regulations Changed in 2017