Project Overview
A Complete Hillside Transformation in Suncrest
Black Diamond Landscape & Outdoor Living completed a comprehensive landscape renovation on a hillside property in the Suncrest area of Draper, Utah. The project addressed the full scope of the site — from the front arrival experience to the backyard recreation and entertainment areas.
The design integrates water-wise planting with decorative rock, natural slab-rock steps and pathways, natural-stone walls and grade transitions, Belgard pavers, a custom wood pergola, a circular fire feature, a sport court, professional low-voltage landscape lighting, and custom stamped and colored concrete.
Every element was designed to work with the hillside topography and complement the home's stone and stucco architecture.
The backyard renovation connects the home, sport court, pergola, hardscape and illuminated circulation routes.
Design Intent
Designing for a Hillside Site in Suncrest
Grade Transitions
The hillside required carefully engineered natural-stone walls and grade transitions to create usable, level areas for outdoor living and recreation without disrupting the natural character of the site.
Water-Wise Design
The front landscape was designed around water-wise principles — decorative rock, drought-tolerant planting and low-water beds reduce irrigation demand while maintaining a polished, maintained appearance.
Unified Circulation
Natural slab-rock steps and pathways connect the arrival area, front yard, side yard and backyard into a continuous, well-lit circulation system that functions safely at night.
Recreation & Gathering
The backyard integrates a sport court, custom pergola and circular fire feature into a single cohesive outdoor living environment suited to both active recreation and relaxed entertaining.
Front Landscape
Water-Wise Front Yard Renovation
The front landscape was redesigned around water-wise principles suited to Utah's semi-arid climate. Decorative rock mulch, drought-tolerant specimen plants and low-water planting beds replace traditional turf, reducing irrigation demand while maintaining a refined, well-maintained appearance.
Low-voltage path lights and accent fixtures are integrated throughout the front yard, illuminating the arrival experience and highlighting specimen plants and the home's stone facade after dark.
Learn about water-wise landscape design
Water-wise planting, decorative rock and layered landscape lighting frame the Suncrest home and arrival area.
Aerial perspective showing the layout of the water-wise front landscape, planting beds and illuminated circulation areas.
Low-voltage lighting highlights the front entry, stone facade and water-wise planting beds at dusk.
Low-voltage lighting defines the front walk, specimen plants, natural-stone accents and home entrance.
Hardscape
Natural-Stone Pathways & Grade Transitions
Natural slab-rock steps and pathways connect every area of the property. The irregular slab stone provides a natural, organic character that complements the hillside setting and the home's stone exterior.
Natural-stone walls manage the grade transitions across the hillside, creating level planting areas and usable outdoor spaces while maintaining the site's natural topographic character.
View hardscape and natural-stone work
Natural slab-stone steps and pathways are illuminated through a water-wise planting and decorative-rock landscape.
Natural flagstone pathway winds through water-wise planting beds and decorative rock.
Natural slab-cut stone stairs connect the lower yard to the pergola and gathering area.
Slab-cut stone steps descend through water-wise planting and decorative rock beds.
Slab-cut stone stairs and natural-stone retaining walls manage the hillside grade transitions.
A patterned hardscape patio and natural-stone seat walls frame a sweeping valley view.
Outdoor Living
Custom Pergola, Fire Feature & Gathering Area
The backyard gathering area centers on a custom wood pergola and a circular fire feature set on a stamped and colored concrete patio. The pergola provides shade and structure for outdoor entertaining, while the fire feature creates a natural focal point for the space.
A custom pergola, circular fire feature and stamped concrete gathering area integrated into the Suncrest hillside landscape.
The custom pergola and circular fire feature create a sheltered gathering space within the natural-stone landscape.
The custom pergola and circular fire feature anchor the backyard gathering space.
The circular fire feature and curved seating wall create a natural gathering focal point under the pergola.
The pergola and fire feature frame a sweeping valley view from the Suncrest hillside.
Recreation
Sport Court & Recreation Integration
A sport court is integrated into the backyard design, positioned to make use of the leveled hillside area while maintaining clear sightlines to the outdoor living spaces and home.
Illuminated pathways connect the sport court to the pergola and gathering area, allowing the full backyard to function safely and comfortably after dark.
The backyard renovation connects the home, sport court, pergola, hardscape and illuminated circulation routes.
The sport court captures sweeping mountain and valley views from the Suncrest hillside.
Landscape lighting extends the sport court's usability into the evening with valley views beyond.
Lighting
Professional Landscape Lighting Strategy
Low-voltage landscape lighting is integrated throughout the property — path lights along the front walkway, uplights on specimen trees, step lights on the natural-stone stairs, and accent fixtures highlighting the home's facade and the backyard gathering area.
Low-voltage lighting highlights the front entry, stone facade and water-wise planting beds at dusk.
Natural slab pathway lit by low-voltage step and path lights with valley views beyond.
Natural stone steps lit by integrated step lights with the valley lights of Draper visible below.
Integrated step lighting guides circulation through the natural stone hardscape at night.
The pergola and hardscape patio glow with integrated landscape lighting after dark.
Warm lighting from the pergola and fire feature creates an inviting evening atmosphere.
Materials
Materials & Construction Features
Gallery
Project Gallery
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Black Diamond Landscape & Outdoor Living serves Draper, Salt Lake County and surrounding communities. Contact us to discuss your project.