Suburban Landscape Renovation
Old Briargate, Colorado Springs
Verdant Southwest ecology meets function-first landscape design
Overview
The Homestead Project is a flagship example of what EcoLogic Design delivers best: transforming tired residential yards into thriving, purposeful environments. Located in Colorado Springs’ historic Old Briargate neighborhood, this full design-build project was phased over three years, turning a bare lawn into a vibrant, resilient landscape rooted in beauty and utility.
The homeowners sought a place to grow food, unwind outdoors, and welcome wildlife—without taking on constant maintenance. EcoLogic Design led the consultation, design, earthwork, planting, and phased installations to bring that vision to life.
Project Goals
- Productive Homesteading: Designed for function and flavor, the landscape includes raised garden beds, edible perennials, an herb spiral, and a soft-fruited understory.
- Ecological Health: Infiltration zones, downspout diversions, and carefully contoured terrain help retain water and build soil. Native and xeric plants reduce input while supporting local pollinators.
- Outdoor Living: Intentional spaces include a hammock nook, shaded seating, and a back patio with sunset views framed by garden beds and native grasses.
- Privacy & Quiet: A vine-covered trellis and tree placement shield views and create a sense of intimacy from the surrounding neighborhood.
- Low Maintenance: Thoughtful layout and right-sized infrastructure make the site easy to manage long-term.
Design Approach
Starting with a permaculture-based analysis, we mapped patterns of sun, water, wind, and movement. Existing trees—a mature blue spruce, ash, and pinyon—were preserved and anchored into the new design.
Phase 1 tackled earth shaping, wildflower meadow establishment, and garden bed installation.
Phase 2 brought in edible perennials, native shrubs, and a low-profile tool shelter with open sides, nestled along the home’s east wall.
Phase 3 capped the project with a 10’x12′ custom shed featuring clerestory windows, elegant Siloam stone retaining walls, and refined touches to unify the space.
Outcomes
The result is a lush, living landscape that reflects its people and place. A once-underutilized yard now supports a thriving micro-ecosystem, with layered textures, seasonal blooms, and productive growing zones.
The original oversized compost system was scaled back to make room for more habitat plantings—an intuitive shift as the space matured. Today, the garden hums with life: the air filled with pollinators, the ground alive with growth, and the mornings brightened by birdsong and movement.
Highlight Features
- Raised garden beds & edible planting zones
- Siloam stone terraces and paths
- Custom 10’x12′ shed with clerestory windows
- Pollinator-friendly meadow & seasonal wildflowers
- Trellis screen for privacy & vine growth
- Passive water harvesting and drainage solutions
- Hammock nook & sunset-facing patio views