From Devastation to Renewal: Designing a Resilient Waterfront Garden

Introduction

Nearly a decade ago, this shoreline property at the base of steep Puget Sound bluffs faced a dramatic transformation—but not the kind you plan for. A series of slope failures and landslides struck the site, ultimately knocking the home off its foundation and leaving behind a landscape of instability and ruin.

When Scott was brought onto the project, the site had already undergone extensive restoration work to stabilize the bluff and rebuild the home. While the structure stood strong once again, the land around it was still scarred and unsettled. Our challenge was to reimagine the property as a functional, resilient, and beautiful coastal garden, carefully balancing design aspirations with the realities of a dynamic shoreline environment.

DESIGNING FOR A HARSH COASTAL ENVIRONMENT

Gardens along the Puget Sound must endure constant exposure to salt spray and strong prevailing winds—conditions that limit plant choices and demand a different design approach. We began by developing a hardy planting palette made up of species able to thrive in these extreme conditions, favoring plants that would not only survive, but also enhance the natural character of the site.

Large, locally sourced stones became a key design element, both visually and structurally. Granite and other regional stone were used to anchor the landscape, connecting the garden to its dramatic surroundings while also helping stabilize areas of the slope that naturally shift over time. These stones guide movement through the garden and frame panoramic views of the Sound, creating a sense of continuity between the built environment and the wild coastline beyond.

A CONTRAST BETWEEN WILD & REFINED

The garden was designed as a series of distinct yet connected spaces.

• Along the shoreline, the design embraces a more rugged, natural aesthetic, blending seamlessly with the coastal ecosystem.

• Higher up the site, near the home, the courtyard gardens take on a more structured and formal tone. Directly accessible from the dining room, this space was conceived as an extension of the home’s interior, offering a sheltered outdoor room for gatherings and quiet reflection.

a gARDEN THAT TELLS A STORY

Today, the site bears little trace of its turbulent past. What was once a landscape marked by destruction is now a thriving coastal garden, alive with movement, texture, and seasonal change.

The finished design serves as a living response to the site’s history, marrying resilience with beauty. It’s a place where nature and design work together, transforming what was once ruin into a garden deeply rooted in its place and shaped by the powerful forces of land and water.