CUPERTINO — Family Sports & Natural Garden

THE CHALLENGE

This Cupertino home belongs to a busy, dual-income family with two daughters. The space was limited, but the family had competing needs: the father wanted a half-court basketball area to play with his daughters, while the mother wanted a natural garden full of flowers and a covered pavilion to host friends and practice gardening. Our challenge was to fit all of these functional requirements into a relatively small yard while keeping it looking like a cohesive, naturalistic garden. Additionally, the owners wanted to replace their old lawns to apply for the California water-saving rebate.

THE DESIGN

VividLand used clever space planning to balance sports and relaxation. Instead of splitting the yard into rigid pieces, we wrapped the hard-surface basketball area with soft, layered natural plantings. We placed the gathering pavilion strategically so the mother can host friends or relax in the shade while comfortably watching her daughters play sports. This layout perfectly blends high-activity space with a peaceful, therapeutic green environment.

THE EXECUTION & REBATE

We managed the entire local regulatory and permitting process. To secure the maximum California drought rebate, we removed all the turf and replaced it with a drought-tolerant palette of native plants and Mediterranean perennials. These plants look like a lush, wild meadow but require very little water. We used premium permeable materials for the basketball court to ensure proper drainage, while keeping the construction strictly on schedule and within budget.

THE RESULT

The backyard is now a fully functional, multi-generational outdoor living space. The family can enjoy energetic basketball games on one side, while the other side offers a quiet, beautiful garden retreat. It proves that a small space can be highly active, beautiful, and eco-friendly all at once.