The backyard renovation of a 1927 bungalow transformed the 1,300-square-foot home’s exterior. The focus was to create a year-round backyard retreat that could handle Houston’s hot, humid summers by creating shaded areas, yet allow for a good amount of airflow and a feeling of lightness. A custom steel and cedar pergola, whose structure is independent of the house, projects off the house, angling up as it extends into the backyard. From inside the view opens out onto the patio and invites the homeowners outside to an outdoor living room. A concrete fire pit and steel raised beds sit next to the open-air kitchen and along the bungalow’s foundation. A minimal material palette creates a cohesive experience. Crushed granite and black star gravel alternate between concrete pavers. The projecting lines of the pergola, wood fence and hardscape keep the eye moving throughout the 650-square-foot patio, providing visual interest.