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Solana Dr Landscape Design | Tempe
Location: Tempe, Arizona Year Built: 1952
The Property
This mid-century home in Tempe had a strong architectural presence but the surrounding landscape lacked structure and identity. The front yard in particular did little to reinforce the character of the home, and the property lacked defined outdoor spaces that connected to the architecture.
The goal of the project was to introduce architectural landscape elements that would complement the home while creating a stronger visual presence from the street.
Design Vision
The design focused on introducing geometric forms and materials that align with mid-century architecture while maintaining a restrained desert landscape palette.
A breeze block screen wall became the defining feature of the front yard, adding architectural texture, privacy, and a strong mid-century visual identity to the property.
The rest of the landscape was organized to support the home with simple hardscape, desert plantings, and functional outdoor areas.
Landscape Transformation
The most prominent addition to the project was the installation of a custom breeze block wall at the front of the property, creating a sculptural architectural element that reinforces the mid-century character of the home.
The breeze block screen provides privacy while allowing light and air to pass through, creating a layered transition between the street and the home.
The surrounding landscape was redesigned with clean geometric elements, desert gravel, and drought-tolerant plantings that complement the strong architectural presence of the wall.
New plantings, irrigation, and outdoor spaces were introduced to create a cohesive landscape that feels intentional and balanced with the architecture.
The Result
The addition of the breeze block wall transforms the street presence of the home and establishes a strong mid-century identity for the property.
Combined with the updated landscape and simple geometric hardscape, the design creates a cohesive outdoor environment that complements the architecture while remaining appropriate for the desert climate.