Outdoor Living

Outdoor architecture for Los Angeles

Hardscape, structures, pools, and planting — designed as extensions of the home, not as landscaping bolted onto the property.

Led by Jacob, Owner-PM  ·  CSLB # 1096552

Process at a glance

One team. One timeline.

Outdoor work fails most often when it is bolted on after the fact — drainage issues, sightlines that miss, lighting that disappoints. We design it as architecture from the first conversation.

Stage 01
Discovery
2–3 weeks
Stage 02
Design
4–10 weeks
Stage 03
Permit
2–8 weeks
Stage 04
Build
3–8 months
Read the full process →
Scope of work

Outdoor architecture, end to end.

Within the engagement, we design and build:

  • Outdoor kitchens & bars — Built-in cooking, refrigeration, prep, and storage — designed as architecture, not assembled from catalog modules
  • Pools, spas, cabanas — Pool design coordinated with the home — pool deck, equipment screening, cabana, outdoor shower
  • Hardscape — Decks, terraces, walkways, retaining walls, stairs — material lines that read with the architecture
  • Pavilions, pergolas, shade structures — Built shade — designed to extend the usable footprint, not to look like an add-on
  • Outdoor rooms + fireplaces — Defined outdoor spaces with built-in seating, fireplaces, sound, all wired into the project
  • Drought-aware planting — Plant palette designed for LA water restrictions, established with proper irrigation
  • Irrigation + landscape lighting — Drip irrigation, smart controllers, low-voltage lighting designed for nighttime use
  • Privacy + integrated fencing — Walls, screens, and fences detailed to disappear into the design language
Signature moments

What separates outdoor architecture from landscaping.

Indoor-outdoor continuity

The threshold between inside and outside is a design moment, not an afterthought. Material lines, sightlines, ceiling planes, and floor finishes that carry through — so the outdoor space reads as part of the home, not a separate project.

Built-in not bolted-on

Outdoor kitchens, bars, fire features, and seating designed as architecture. Cabinetry detailed like the indoor kitchen. Not a barbecue island wheeled into a corner.

Designed for night use

LA outdoor living is half about evenings. Lighting plan, shade transitions, fire features, and weather protection designed so the space works after sunset and through the year — not just on a Saturday in May.

Engagement model

Three phases. Three fee structures. No surprises.

We don't bid against general contractors at the back end. The fee is structured up front, the budget is tracked weekly, and the model rewards cost discipline — not change orders.

Phase 01

Discovery (fixed)

Discovery includes outdoor-specific feasibility — drainage, slope, setback envelope for structures, equipment screening, irrigation tie-in. Fixed-fee, refundable against the design contract.

Phase 02

Design (transparent)

Architectural design plus the outdoor work permit set where required. Hourly with a not-to-exceed cap by phase. Material samples and lighting mockups before the permit submission.

Phase 03

Construction (cost-plus)

Build is cost-plus with a negotiated fee. Same superintendent through final walkthrough. Planting scheduled around weather and irrigation establishment, not rushed to the closeout date.

Questions

What clients ask about outdoor work in LA.

How long does outdoor living construction take?

A pool + cabana + hardscape package typically runs 6–9 months from permit clearance. A simple terrace + outdoor kitchen runs 3–4 months. Discovery and design add 2–3 months ahead of construction. Planting establishment continues for several months after handoff.

What does outdoor living cost in Los Angeles?

Hardscape and structures range from $80 to $200+ per square foot of finished outdoor area depending on materials. Pools start around $120K for a basic gunite design and scale significantly with shape, finish, equipment, and cabana. Discovery produces a high–low range tied to your property and program.

Do we need permits for outdoor work?

Most pools, spas, structures over 120 sq ft, and significant grading require permits. Hardscape, planting, and irrigation typically do not. We confirm permit obligations as part of Discovery — and we own the submission and inspection coordination if required.

Can we phase the outdoor work after a primary remodel?

Yes — and we often recommend it. Construction sequencing during a primary remodel makes outdoor work disruptive. Phasing the outdoor work after the home reopens lets the family use the property and lets us focus the budget where it lands best.

How is this different from hiring a landscape architect?

A landscape architect designs. We design and build, with one team accountable for both. When the same firm owns design intent and field execution, the outdoor architecture, hardscape, planting, lighting, and pool work all read as one project — not as four contractors stitched together.

Start with a Discovery brief.

A conversation, a site walk, and a feasibility brief — fixed-fee, refundable against design.

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