This 1941 Nob Hill home was completely remodeled in 2017. An old wood retaining edge at the front yard was replaced by a gabion wall to accommodate the difference in grade and provide a French drain to capture runoff from the front side of the new metal roof.

A 4” diameter perforated pipe runs from the downspout to the sidewalk, in a gravel filled trench wrapped in landscape fabric—a ‘burrito’ drain. The gabion cage is lined with decades of old masonry samples, including colored concrete tiles fabricated to test concrete stain colors. The captured rainwater benefits two mature fruitless mulberry trees.