Westfield Contemporary Outdoor Living

Project Overview

Designed for a family that entertains on weekends, this outdoor room transforms a windy corner lot into a sheltered courtyard. Low, stucco planters define the space while cedar benches wrap the perimeter to seat twelve comfortably. The centerpiece is a cast-in-place concrete fire table with black lava rock, tuned for a clean, adjustable gas flame. Large-format porcelain pavers on a permeable base keep the terrace cool in summer and ice-safe in winter.

Integrated LED ribbons wash the bench undersides, step lights mark transitions, and dimmable path beacons lead to the lawn. A concealed drainage spine captures stormwater and directs it to a planted swale, protecting the slab and keeping joints pristine. Planting is drought-tolerant and Midwestern hardy—prairie grasses, aromatic perennials, and four-season shrubs that glow at golden hour.

Design Approach

We started with solar orientation—aligning the bench backs to cut prevailing winds and capturing sunset views over the fairway. All wood is clear-grade western red cedar, sealed on six sides and mounted to a powder-coated steel frame so the benches appear to float. The fire table is a monolithic pour with a hand-troweled finish; a concealed gas line with an exterior shutoff and keyed-valve keeps operation safe and simple. Every detail—from joint layout to fixture color temperature (2700K)—was coordinated for a calm, contemporary feel.

Project Gallery