Rock Bed Porch Dallas, Texas

Say it with me… entertainment and relaxation spaces can be in the front yard! After all, the “front porch” is a staple in American history, serving as a gathering point for the entire family, improving social cohesion amongst the neighborhood. It provides a transition from the indoor space of the home to the outdoors, the private to the public, a place for both personal reflection and community observation.

I proposed retaining the whole area along the house with corten steel edging to the level of the existing entrance platform to provide the flattened, useable space. It also avoids the need to step up or down when coming out from the indoors. A series of 2 x 2 stepping stones, a corten steel fire pit area, a boulder water feature, and plant materials all come together to make this a beautiful, relaxing, and functional space. I then proposed a successive garden around the raised platform separating it from the lawn. The trees, shrubs, and grasses provide a sense completeness as well as a sense of boundary, without completely blocking the space off from the public street.

The client wanted a more natural setting that function as a porch, while providing immersion in nature and modern curb appeal. This design successfully marries the concept of the American porch with natural inspired, modern aesthetics.