Subsurface Hydrology Meets Resort-Grade Artistry
The Challenge: Turning a Swamp into a Sanctuary
A new subdivision changed local waterways, leaving this Des Peres property with a backyard that remained saturated for days after every rain. With less than a 1/16th inch of natural fall per foot across the yard, the space was effectively unusable for a family of three.
Our primary objective involved a total hydrological overhaul to move water from the rear yard to the front without creating an eyesore for the affluent neighborhood.
- Precision Grading: We engineered a custom trench system with a 1-inch-per-foot fall to direct drainage on nearly flat terrain.
- Underground Infrastructure: We installed a 2,000-gallon retention tank and multiple dry wells to handle massive runoff.
- Invisible Solutions: Runoff is channeled through a custom dry creek bed that feeds into a front-yard water feature, solving the flooding while adding natural beauty.
Project Highlights: High-Performance Infrastructure
1. The Four-Season Living Pavilion
At the heart of the building is an 800 sq. ft. screened deck and a 22’x24′ Apollo louvered pergola.
- Extreme Climate Control: Using 60,000 Watts of electric heat and a massive 48-inch Great Wolf Lodge-style fireplace (300,000 BTUs), the family watches hockey games on their 85″ TV in 20-degree temperatures.
- Lower-Level Lounge: The space beneath the pergola shelters a second living area, an additional TV, and a full-sized shuffleboard table.
2. Steel-Framed Permanence
To honor the vision of a “forever home,” we bypassed wood in favor of a 14-gauge New Castle Steel skeleton for the deck and all feature walls. Clad in James Hardie concrete siding and DuraLife decking, the 4,500 sq. ft. footprint is immune to the rot and warping that affects traditional timber.
3. Theme-Park Artistry
The 36,000-gallon pool features an 8′ tall x 24-foot-wide waterfall and jump platform.
- Hand-Carved Detail: Our artists hand-textured the vertical concrete to replicate granite fractures and natural lichen growth. It is nearly impossible to distinguish our concrete sculptures from real boulders.
- The Fire-Boulder: A massive, hand-carved 200,000 BTU FireRock feature serves as a central hub for evening s’mores.
- Hydrotherapy: The space includes a 6’x24′ tanning ledge and a Bullfrog Hot Tub for year-round use.
4. Integrated Utility
A full-service outdoor kitchen with RecTeq and Blaze grills handles the meals, while an integrated changing room built into the pergola keeps the main residence dry. The entire property is illuminated by an InLite landscape system, extending the resort experience long after dark.
Technical Specifications
- Total Heating Capacity: ~1,000,000 BTUs (Gas + Electric)
- Structural Foundation: 14-Gauge New Castle Steel
- Pool Dimensions: 24’x36′ with a 6’x24′ Tanning Ledge
- Audio/Visual: Dual-zone Samsung Outdoor Displays + Sonos Audio
Technical Mastery. Resort-Grade Luxury.
Solid Ground manages the projects that demand more than simple carpentry. When site conditions turned this yard into a liability, we re-engineered the property from the soil up. From welding structural steel to hand-sculpting realistic stone formations, our work is defined by a refusal to take shortcuts.
If you want an outdoor space that commands attention while functioning flawlessly under the most difficult site conditions, our team offers the expertise to deliver a sophisticated solution.
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Award-Winning Industry Leaders:
- Deck Specialist of the Year
- Best of St. Louis Deck Builders
- NADRA 2025 Deck Safety Ambassador
- Elite Partners: New Castle Steel, Deckorators, & TimberTech
