Removing non-functional turf from the front yard allowed for a pedestrian entry path, low-water and low-maintenance plantings, and for the focus to be on the backyard for family pursuits. The backyard, originally a sloped, broken-up space, was reoriented towards different zones to maximize uses, allowing for dedicated, concentrated vegetable and flower gardens, a large flattened lawn space for games and play, and subtle protection against the ever-increasing risk of urban wildfires with careful placement of non-flammable materials.