Clients wanted to create a design that really focused on the children. They wanted a hang out space for the kids so that all the kids want to stay over. They also want to enjoy watching their children play in the yard so an improved deck would be needed. There are many ideas for future plans. The first phase inlcuded a fence, patio, sports court and patio. The fence was black aluminum with gates. The patio is curved using Belgard Hardscapes rustic slab in danville blend with a laffit border in sable blend. The steps are Belgard belair wall in silex blend. The existing deck was torn down and removed. The new deck was constructed using Fiberon Horizon series composite decking with an Ipe inlay and steps; tudor brown for main deck border. The railing is white vinyl with round black balusters. A EPDM liner drainage system was installed below decking boards and ran into a gutter. The asphalt basketball court was installed and painted green with white striping. All in all a wonderful space for family and friends. After photos: Candy Wheelock Photography

Large modern backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Los Angeles with concrete pavers.

Danny Waters
This is an example of a mid-sized modern courtyard partial sun outdoor sport court for summer in Austin with concrete pavers.

Rich Cox Photography
Photo of a small country front yard partial sun outdoor sport court for spring in Santa Barbara with concrete pavers.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard full sun outdoor sport court in Other with concrete pavers.

For more photos of this project see: MILLER-KING
This is an example of a large traditional backyard outdoor sport court in San Francisco with concrete pavers.

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Houston with concrete pavers.

Jim Walton
This is an example of a large tropical backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Miami with concrete pavers.

We were contacted by a family that had just moved into a home built in the 1960s. The house had that classic “space age” look that was popular in the years that America ran the Space Race with the Soviets. During this time, architects envisioned a future where technology would eventually create a better world, and where Nature would be more or less replaced with human innovation. As such, the contemporary landscape we developed for this home was rather unique in terms of the typical projects we develop. It consisted mainly of a concrete patio and a custom fountain, but it had virtually no vegetation incorporated into its design. This was due to the fact that the homeowners had specifically requested an inorganic look and feel to the landscape that compliment the right-angled geometry and predominantly glass construction of the home. The home was actually built in two linear wings that came together in a sharp right angle, forming a natural courtyard of sorts in the lawn. Since grass was something the homeowners wanted to minimize, we converted this rectangular green space into a contemporary-style concrete patio. We decorated the patio by making diagonal saw cuts in its surface. This had the effect of extending the home’s sense of linear movement by creating intersecting patterns of right angles that mirrored the right angles formed by the house. Then, in the corner where the two wings converged, we removed a rectangular portion of the patio and laid down alternating white and black gravel in a checkerboard of squares. We added just a touch of greenery that lent some--but not too much— of a sense of Nature to the patio and surrounding landscape. We planted a solitary palm tree in the graveled corner, and we placed a contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright planter near one of the far patio corners. Just beyond both wings of the home, we then built small, square planters out of stainless steel edging. We planted Mondo grass in some of these squares, and we filled the rest with moonstones to maintain the sense of minimalism characteristic of custom, contemporary landscapes. We then implemented the second phase of the landscaping project, which consisted of the construction of a highly customized fountain design. The intention in constructing this element was two-fold. First the back of the home had windows so large they looked more like sheer walls of glass than typical windows. Adding a custom, contemporary fountain to the center of the patio would create a feature that would reflect off the glass during the day, and compliment interior lighting when illuminated at night. On a functional level, the fountain was also intended to provide a special recreational area for the children, who loved to play in the water, but who were too young to swim unsupervised in a pool. We decided that the best way to accomplish both tasks was to custom-build a rectangular platform over the fountain jets that could easily support the weight of multiple children. This platform would have to be constructed with both a sturdy frame and a permeable surface that would allow water to penetrate it as it shot up into the air from the jets below. In order to fulfill both functional and safety requirements, we custom designed the fountain platform with two very unique materials. First, we built a frame with very stainless steel bars that would not rust. Then, we selected a very fine mesh made from shredded steel wire that was folded over and over onto itself until all sharp edges were gone. This made the steel feel more like a sea grass rug than a piece of metal when we were finished stretching it over the frame. The design worked beautifully, and allowed part of the water to shoot straight up in streams, but also produced a fine mist that added to the play element of the fountain. To light our custom fountain, we then suspended special luminaires just under its surface to enliven the streams of water and fine sprays of mist that shot up into the night.

Inspiration for a large traditional backyard partial sun outdoor sport court for summer in Austin with with outdoor playset and concrete pavers.

S. African, Australian, and Calif natives JL
Large contemporary front yard full sun outdoor sport court in Santa Barbara with concrete pavers.

This outdoor living space includes; a rectangular swimming pool, putting green, and Hot Springs spa. The patio is Techo-Bloc Blu pavers with natural fieldstone walls. Landscaping and boulders complement the space and a wood burning fire pit serves as a focal point. A Fiberon Ipe spa deck, next to the outdoor grille station and buffet stone counter for entertaining and relaxing. Photo by: George Brown Photography

Design ideas for a large modern backyard full sun outdoor sport court in San Francisco with with outdoor playset and concrete pavers.

This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun outdoor sport court for summer in Austin with with outdoor playset and concrete pavers.

Mutual Materials
Photo of a large modern backyard full sun outdoor sport court for summer in Seattle with a fire feature and concrete pavers.

Needham Custom Backyard Basketball and Tennis Court with rebounder
This is an example of a mid-sized traditional backyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Boston with with outdoor playset and concrete pavers.

Mid-sized mediterranean courtyard partial sun outdoor sport court in Denver with concrete pavers for spring.

At Bulldog Paving we specialize in the design and installation of concrete interlocking pavers for residential and commercial, landscape and hardscape projects. We believe that the use of paving stones for your next driveway, patio, walkway or pool deck is going to enhance the overall appeal of your property. So, if you would like to set up a free consultation for your new paver installation or perhaps you want to seal your existing pavers? Then contact us today and we will discuss all of your options!

20' x 28' Basketball half court Surface is the BounceBack ShockTower from SnapSports Court is installed on top of a concrete pad Basketball goal is our HyperDunk 543 with a 36" x 54" x 1/2" tempered glass backboard, flex rim, 3' overhang from post to backboard Containment netting behind the basketball goal