Backyards Go Green

Words: Dan KamysOctober 2008

Green Building

Eco friendly landscape design

By Elizabeth Lexau

Today's homeowners are environmentally savvy, which is apparent in the home landscape. "More homeowners want yards that are beautiful, comfortable and eco friendly," says Scott Cohen, president and supervising designer for The Green Scene, an award-winning outdoor design and construction firm. Cohen is known for his unique designs that put recycled materials, particularly wine bottles, to beautiful use. Shimmering wine bottle waterfalls, multi-colored mosaics of glittering broken glass, and outdoor kitchen counters constructed of hundreds of recycled bottles, are just a few of his signature pieces. [caption id="attachment_9156" align="alignnone" width="417"]Image Courtesy of www.greenscenelandscape.com Image Courtesy of www.greenscenelandscape.com[/caption] "Recycling can be incorporated into every aspect of landscape installation," says Cohen. "For example, when we remove an old concrete patio or driveway, we don't bring it to a landfill. Instead, we take it to a company that processes it into a substitute for crushed stone, which we then use for a variety of purposes in the landscape. We also use recycled mulch made from shredded urban forest products. We even recycle the plastic containers from new plants. There are so many ways to reuse old stuff." "Low-voltage landscape lighting is getting better all the time," says Cohen. "New LED bulbs deliver high-quality light with four-times the energy efficiency of incandescent lights. We also like the decking made from recycled plastic and wood shavings. It performs well and keeps its color without the need for stains or paints that contain harmful chemicals. About Scott Cohen/The Green Scene Scott Cohen is a two-time Master's Of Design award winner. His work is featured on HGTV and in national magazines and books. Cohen's designs are available for purchase from www.Fetch-A-Sketch.com. Visit The Green Scene Web site, www.greenscenelandscape.com. Return to Table of Contents
About: Side Story
Chemicals In Masonry
September 2026

Mason contractors must deal with chemicals on the job site. One of the main ones comes in the form of dust. Another is acid. From high-rise commercial structures to residential facades, masonry work involves handling raw materials that require careful man

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Safety
Read More
Brick Staining Dos and Don'ts: Managing Modern and Historic Masonry Construction
September 2026

Every mason contractor has encountered it, or will. A replacement brick arrives from a different production run. A cast stone repair patch or perhaps a darker panel stands out against the surrounding installation. Mortar color varies unexpectedly. A clea

Jennifer Gill
Technical Talks
Brick Staining Masonry Staining Staining
Read More
Gables Republic Square & Hotel ZaZa
September 2026

Gables Republic Square / Hotel ZaZa is a 24-story mixed-use boutique hotel and urban residential tower with street-level retail located on a 0.75-acre site in downtown Austin. Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. (CMS) was responsible for the supply and instal

Dawn Kornegay
Case Study
Brick Clay Brick Residential
Read More
The Utah Masonry Council's Masonry Education Day
September 2026

The 2026 Masonry Education Day at Interstate Brick in West Jordan is bringing together members of Utah’s architecture, engineering, and construction community for a day focused on education, technical understanding, and workforce development. The event r

Cassie Mejia
Industry News
Read More