From Concrete 'Jail Yard' to Lush Brooklyn Garden Sanctuary

The homeowners of a two-story apartment in Brooklyn's Prospect Heights neighborhood wanted a calm, inviting backyard retreat. That was a tall order considering the concrete jungle behind the newly constructed dwelling.

The husband-and-wife landscaping firm Outside Space NYC was commissioned to turn the bunker-like space into a haven for entertaining and relaxing. Edward Jones oversaw hardscape design; Irene Kalina-Jones handled planting.

Garden at a Glance

• Location: Brooklyn, New York
• Size: 930 square feet (86 square meters)

Before Photo

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Initially the space was an unwelcoming pit—sited well below street level and surrounded by 22-foot-high concrete walls. "It was like a jail yard," says Edward Jones.

Before Photo

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

A massive dry well to capture and disperse rainwater sat at the bottom, covered by thick concrete. Huge amounts of gravel needed removal, and the only way out was through the apartment.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

"After" photography by Irene Kalina-Jones

AFTER: The designers made the most of the existing structure, fabricating a showstopping waterfall and trellis to capitalize on the concrete walls' height.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

The waterfall was constructed with cement board to cover an unattractive air conditioning pipe running the full wall height. "We covered everything in polished concrete," says Jones. "It creates very interesting texture when water goes over it."

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Fine-tuning water pressure and flow rate was challenging. Jones achieved a gentle trickle producing pleasant sound. A switch lets residents turn on the waterfall from inside the apartment.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

A pump at the pool base recirculates water. Mexican beach glass pebbles and mossy rocks add naturalistic elements.

To the right of the waterfall, Kalina-Jones planted Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and American wisteria (W. frutescens) to scale a metal trellis. The vines flower at different times, extending the bloom season.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Raised planters were built from cinder blocks covered in polished concrete to echo the wall finish. A native Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) provides shade.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Walkways are paved with 13-inch squares of local bluestone.

Before Photo

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

The landscapers carried all debris out and brought in all soil and plant materials—even trees—using the metal staircase to the second-floor apartment.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

AFTER: Beneath the metal stairway, Jones built a storage area faced with ipe to match the upper-level deck. Outside sliding doors to the master and guest bedrooms, a deck beckons for dining and lounging. Multiple levels make the space more engaging and provide a feeling of spaciousness, says Kalina-Jones.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Mindful of the clients' allergy concerns, Kalina-Jones avoided aromatic plants, focusing on form and foliage. Plants provide year-round interest in a display varying with seasons, attracting butterflies and bees.

Large grass is variegated Miscanthus (blooms in fall). Cascading behind it is Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. At the far end is a Kwanzan cherry tree (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan').

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

The ipe deck surrounds a lawn and gas fire pit. To minimize maintenance, Jones chose XGrass Luxury Pro artificial turf from ProGreen. Unlike old synthetic grass, today's products look remarkably natural and feel soft underfoot. Drainage below the lawn handles rain.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Soft nighttime lighting makes the garden equally appealing after sunset.

Outside Space NYC Landscape Design

Next: More ideas for urban gardening