For this East Rock townhouse, the young homeowner wanted to transform his backyard from an underutilized lot into a valuable amenity for his tenants. The design strategically zones the outdoor space into clear "rooms" for different uses—ranging from quiet lounging corners and recreation spots to dedicated areas for barbecuing and secure bicycle storage. The options explore the levels of openness and privacy, which backyard elements are unique versus shared, and functional flexibility in order to create a truly valuable shared retreat in the heart of New Haven.