Portland, Maine
Intown Gathering Space
From churchyard to courtyard
Best Bower occupies a former church on Munjoy Hill next to the Portland Observatory. The owner wanted a courtyard that felt distinctly Portland, using red brick and granite with room for guests to gather. We built it with reclaimed granite, including carved pieces we salvaged from the original church and put back to use in the new walkway.
Before
From a dirt hill to a courtyard
The courtyard began as a raw dirt hill below the neighboring fire station parking lot. Water and mud came down the slope, and the property lines left little room to work behind the Observatory. The owner saw that ground as a courtyard where Best Bower guests could spend time outside, with the possibility of small gatherings and live music.
Construction
Building around the trees
The existing oak roots were a major consideration. Rather than excavating deeply around them, we used Gator Base, a rigid interlocking panel system that requires less excavation beneath the walkway. Where large roots were already at grade, we worked around them and allowed them to continue through the walkway.
We also installed a large drywell beneath the patio to collect water on the property. A boulder retaining wall created additional parking, while reclaimed granite made up most of the courtyard wall and cap. Learn more about our process.
Preparing the base and building the walkway around the oak's roots.
After
Old stone in a new courtyard
Red brick and reclaimed granite now form the courtyard, with the original church granite incorporated into the walkway. Instead of hauling those carved pieces away, we gave them a new purpose on the property they came from. Four years later, the courtyard has grown into the outdoor gathering place the owner envisioned for Best Bower.
QUOTE
Photos
