A new cottage was situated in back of a historic home in downtown Palo Alto. The task was to incorporate the new cottage to the existing landscape. A poured-in-place patio allows the homeowner and her dogs to have a place to sit in the sun, while a dry stack wall delineates the patio edge. Under a canopy of Redwood trees, water-wise plantings create a lush and inviting space. Photos by- David Easton Architect