Firelight Focal Point: An In-Ground Gas Firepit with Mountain Views

On a cool evening, nothing beats relaxing beside a flickering fire—especially when the firepit is just outside the back door, like a private campground. Landscape architect Tom Berger designed this backyard gathering place at the confluence of the Naches and Tieton Rivers near Yakima, Washington, framing a stunning mountain view.

Design Details

Large boulders flank the in-ground gas firepit, reinforcing the visual connection to the rocky terrain. A 3-foot-tall wall of terra-cotta-colored concrete backs the flames; behind it, a taller perimeter wall is planted with birches, Colorado blue spruce, and serviceberry (Amelanchier) to create a leafy transition to the trees beyond. A terrace of cast-in-place concrete unifies the space and provides a handsome platform for outdoor furnishings. The project won a Sunset Western Garden Design Award.

Design: Tom Berger, the Berger Partnership, Seattle (206/325-6877)