This St. Paul backyard was transformed from an underused city lot into a fully functional outdoor living space built for year-round enjoyment. A custom cedar barrel sauna anchors the design, positioned for easy access from the home so it can be used comfortably through Minnesota’s long winters. A new paver patio, low-maintenance composite decking, and a boulder retaining wall create distinct dining, lounge, and gathering areas within a tight footprint, while a muted green planting palette and understated landscape lighting tie the space together with a clean, contemporary feel. The result is a backyard that roughly tripled the family’s usable outdoor living space and became a true extension of their everyday life.
This project earned a Gold Award in the Design/Build category at the 2026 NALP Awards of Excellence.
