Barton Hills Residential Landscape Design

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Priorities: Site-Responsive Design – Stormwater Management – Native Plantings
Challenges: Onsite Design Constraints – Integrating Existing Natural Features
Solutions: Graded Gravel Walkways – Limestone Masonry Borders – Native Landscape Installation

This residential project in the Barton Hills neighborhood of Austin was shaped through close collaboration between the client and the Maas Verde design team. Working dynamically and designing onsite, the team ensured the landscape responded directly to existing conditions and preserved the site’s natural character.

Masonry was used to construct gravel walkways bordered by artistic limestone rockwork and native plantings. These walkways were intentionally designed to function as stormwater outlets, making precise grading a critical component of the project. By integrating drainage into the circulation paths, the landscape manages runoff naturally while enhancing usability and visual interest.

The result is a highly site-specific landscape that demonstrates how trust and collaboration between client and designer can lead to a cohesive, functional, and ecologically responsive outdoor space.

Prescribed Burn for Land Management

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Priorities: Ecological Land Management – Native Species Support – Fire Safety
Challenges: Weather-Dependent Conditions – Risk Management and Coordination
Solutions: Prescribed Burn Planning – On-Site Safety Protocols – Controlled Ignition and Monitoring

Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was engaged to safely execute a prescribed burn on a Central Texas property as part of an ongoing land management strategy. The controlled burn reduced accumulated dead biomass, limited competition from non-native species, increased soil exposure to sunlight, and helped control the spread of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei), creating conditions favorable for native plant regeneration.

Because prescribed burns depend on precise weather and humidity conditions, careful planning and scheduling were essential. Before ignition, the Maas Verde team conducted a comprehensive safety and procedures meeting, then divided into coordinated crews using radios to maintain constant communication across the site.

During the burn, drip torches were used to establish burn lines while two ATVs equipped with water tanks and sprayers supported fire control efforts. A dedicated crew monitored and mowed firebreaks to ensure the fire remained contained at all times. This client participates in prescribed burns on a 24-month cycle, supporting long-term, sustainable land stewardship.

San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

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Priorities: Accessible Circulation – Stormwater Management – Durable Outdoor Space
Challenges: Flood-Prone Site – Off-Site Runoff – Precise Grade Transitions
Solutions: ADA-Compliant Sidewalk and Ramp – High-Capacity French Drain – Rain Gardens and Custom Drain Box

Located near historic Old Town in Georgetown, Texas, San Gabriel UU Fellowship serves a diverse community and prioritizes accessibility for people of all ages and mobility levels. Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was engaged to construct a new concrete sidewalk, a large deck, and a comprehensive stormwater management system that aligned with the fellowship’s inclusive values.

 

The site presented significant drainage challenges, including heavy runoff from two off-site church parking lots that routinely flooded the construction area during rain events. To address this, Maas Verde fabricated a custom 24-inch³ concrete drain box off-site capable of handling large volumes of stormwater. A high-capacity French drain system was designed and installed to move water efficiently through the site.

Downstream of the deck, Maas Verde constructed two rain gardens to slow, capture, and absorb runoff at multiple points, reducing pressure on the drainage system while allowing water to infiltrate naturally into the soil. Careful grading ensured the deck and sidewalk aligned seamlessly, meeting ADA requirements and incorporating a ramp to provide safe, comfortable access for all visitors.

By mitigating impervious surfaces and integrating natural stormwater catchment areas, this project balances durable construction with ecological design, delivering a functional and inclusive outdoor environment.

 

Pease Park Retaining Wall

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Priorities: Public Safety – Long-Term Durability – Urban Park Stewardship
Challenges: Construction in an Active Public Space – Adjacent Roadway Conditions
Solutions: Reinforced Retaining Wall – Anchored CMU Base – Limestone Finish

Pease Park Conservancy’s vision for Pease Park centers on accessibility, environmental innovation, and inclusive public space. In support of that mission, Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was engaged to construct a retaining wall adjacent to North Lamar Boulevard, where safety, durability, and public visibility were critical considerations.

Because construction took place within an active urban park, the project required careful coordination to ensure the safety of both park visitors and crew members. The retaining wall was built using anchored cinderblocks as a structural base, reinforced with rebar, and finished with natural limestone to blend seamlessly into the park’s landscape.

Maas Verde worked closely with stakeholders from the Pease Park Conservancy and the City of Austin throughout the process, delivering a solution that balances structural integrity with the park’s natural character. The completed wall supports land stewardship efforts while enhancing safety and resilience along a highly trafficked edge of the park.