3D-Designed Backyard Renovation: A 3D-designed landscape build

The Brief

This Kelowna homeowner came to us with a backyard that had never been developed beyond builder-grade sod and a bare fence line — a common starting point for renovation projects in the area. Rather than guessing at layout from a flat drawing, they wanted to actually walk through the design before a shovel went in the ground, so we started the project with our 3D and Oculus Quest design process. The goal was a cohesive backyard that combined usable patio space, a water feature as a focal point, and low-maintenance planting suited to the Okanagan climate.

The Approach

We began with a full site assessment — sun exposure, existing grade, drainage, and how the family actually intended to use the space — then built a 3D model of the proposed backyard. Using the Oculus Quest headset, the homeowners were able to stand inside the design before construction started: testing sightlines from the kitchen window, checking how much sound and visual presence the water feature would have from the patio, and adjusting stone placement and planting beds until the layout felt right. This kind of walkthrough is especially valuable on Kelowna properties, where slope, exposure, and the region’s dry summers mean a design that looks right on paper doesn’t always feel right once you’re standing in it. Catching those adjustments in the model saved rework once the crew was on site.

What We Built

The centerpiece of the finished backyard is a stacked natural-stone water feature with a cascading, multi-tier waterfall, set into a bed of coordinating stone and framed by drought-tolerant planting. The stonework was selected and dry-fit before final placement to make sure the water’s fall and pooling matched what the homeowners had approved in the 3D walkthrough. Surrounding hardscaping and planting beds were tied back into the same material palette so the water feature reads as part of one connected backyard design rather than an add-on, giving the space a clear focal point visible from the main outdoor living area.

Curious how the 3D and Oculus Quest design process works for your own backyard? Learn more on our 3D & Oculus Quest Design page, or explore our full Landscape Design service. We build projects like this throughout the region, including for homeowners in Kelowna. You can also browse more completed projects in our project gallery.