FRONT YARD PARKING PADS
Elegant First Impression | Bloor West Village
BEFORE
The Client’s Vision
When our client first reached out, they hoped to transform their old front yard to create an elegant first impression. They also wanted to incorporate a parking pad into the new design. Initially, the property didn’t qualify for a parking pad, but a year later, city regulations changed, and they returned to us to help make it happen. The challenge? The design had to accommodate a city tree that couldn’t be removed.
The Challenges
Working closely with an arborist, we developed a design allowing a diagonal parking pad to wrap around the tree. Just as we were nearing city approval, the tree unexpectedly died, freeing us from the constraint of designing around it. This opened up new possibilities, and we reimagined the space with a new city tree placed in a more suitable location.
How We Helped
With more design flexibility, we created tiered gardens supported by modern yet classic chisel-faced precast concrete walls. Matching the steep grade of the mutual driveway posed a challenge, especially for winter safety. To address this, we incorporated smooth slab steps with short, level landings, giving the client a safe way to exit their car in icy conditions. Additionally, we modified the porch, recessing the new steps into it to meet the lower grade seamlessly.
Elegant First Impressions
To complete the look, we designed lush plantings featuring colourful hydrangeas and ornamental grasses, adding vibrant texture and drama to the space. Low-voltage lighting was added under wall capstones to light the way at night, and the new city tree was up-lit for an evening effect.
The Result
Our client now enjoys a front yard that provides an elegant front yard parking solution and enhances their home’s curb appeal with a blend of hardscaping and beautiful landscaping. The final design achieved their vision of a practical yet elegant space that perfectly fits the surrounding landscape and adds value to their home.
