The Clyde Hill fire terrace

The problem

A sloping corner of lawn that stayed wet from October to May, and a family who wanted somewhere to sit round a fire without the neighbours' fence in view.

The decisions

• A circular terrace set level into the slope, with a low brick wall holding the bed above
• A trench drain along the low edge, piped to a dry well
• Four stone seats on gravel, so the space works with no furniture to store
• Evergreen screen planting behind the wall in place of a taller fence

The result

A dry, level room for eight people, used most weekends from April to October and on clear winter nights.