NW Portland
This is what happens when every element of a landscape is designed to work together. This property in NW Portland is a full-custom build spanning the front and backyard, where modern hardscape, layered planting, accent trees, and a triple-formal-falls water feature come together to create an outdoor environment with presence. Nearly 475 square feet of retaining walls. Over 500 square feet of modern paver pathways. Lighting that brings the entire property to life after dark. Every detail was planned. Every material was chosen with intention.
Structure That Sets
the Tone
The hardscape on this property does the heavy lifting. Approximately 475 face feet of retaining walls and stairs were built to manage grade changes across the site, creating clean transitions between levels while adding architectural weight to the landscape. These are not decorative walls. They define the entire layout of the yard and establish the structure that everything else builds around.
A 500-square-foot modern paver pathway using Western Interlock La Lastra pavers connects key areas of the property with a clean, contemporary feel. The La Lastra line was selected for its linear profile and refined texture, a material that complements the modern tone of the home without competing with it. Gravel pathways were added throughout for secondary circulation and site connectivity, keeping foot traffic off planting beds while maintaining a natural look.
The Centerpiece
The homeowner wanted a focal point that commanded attention. We delivered a triple formal falls water feature with integrated lighting, designed to anchor the backyard and give the space a sense of destination. The sound of moving water, the visual depth of three tiers, and the glow of integrated lighting at night create an experience that makes this yard feel like more than just a yard.
A water feature of this scale requires careful engineering. The falls were designed to complement the retaining wall system and integrate naturally into the surrounding grade, so the result feels like it belongs rather than something that was added as an afterthought.
Softening
the Structure
Strong hardscape needs equally strong planting to keep a landscape from feeling cold. We installed 475 gallons of plant material alongside 17 accent trees, layering texture, height, and seasonal interest throughout the property. The planting plan was designed to soften the retaining walls, frame the pathways, and create privacy where the homeowner wanted it most.
A dedicated privacy hedge was installed to screen specific sightlines, giving the backyard an enclosed, intimate feel without relying on fencing alone. Custom garden boxes and raised planters were built to add both function and visual interest, giving the homeowner space for herbs, flowers, or seasonal plantings within a design that holds its shape year-round. Twenty-four hundred square feet of sod lawn completed the softscape, providing the open green space that ties everything together.
Designed for Day and Night
A property this detailed deserves to be seen after the sun goes down. Full low-voltage lighting packages were installed across both the front and backyard, highlighting the water feature, pathways, retaining walls, and key planting areas. The lighting was designed to create depth and drama without over-illuminating the space. Warm, intentional, and layered.
Full irrigation systems with multiple zone configurations were installed to cover every planting area and lawn section across the property. Each zone was calibrated to the specific needs of the material it serves, from sod and groundcover to accent trees and hedge rows. The right system in place from the start means the landscape stays healthy without guesswork.
Project Details
Large custom residential landscape installation
Project Type
Location
NW Portland, Oregon
Triple formal falls with integrated lighting
Water Feature
Lawn
2,400 sq ft sod installation
475 face feet of walls and stairs
Hardscape
500 sq ft Western Interlock La Lastra paver pathway
Retaining Walls
Full low-voltage packages, front and backyard
Plant Material
475 gallons + 17 accent trees
Lighting
Custom garden boxes, raised planters, privacy hedge, gravel pathways
Irrigation
Multi-zone systems, front and backyard
Additional Features
Completed in coordinated phases aligned with builder schedule
Timeline
This is what a landscape looks like when nothing is left to chance.
Summit Landscape specializes in custom outdoor environments where hardscape, planting, water features, and lighting are designed as one cohesive system. From new construction coordination to full property transformations, we handle every phase of the process.
Summit Landscape designs and builds refined outdoor spaces for homeowners across the Portland metro area and surrounding Pacific Northwest communities.