Award-Winning Landscape Design-Build in Sussex

Hilltop Contemporary earned a 2026 WLCA Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association Gold Award for Residential Design-Build, recognizing excellence the design and construction of high-quality residential landscapes.

If you’re looking for landscape design-build in Sussex, WI, Hilltop Contemporary showcases how thoughtful design and expert construction can transform a challenging site into a cohesive, modern outdoor living space.

Built alongside a newly constructed home, this project required a fully integrated landscape plan that complemented the home’s modern-industrial architecture while overcoming steep grade changes and poor soil conditions. 

Built on a challenging slope, the landscape integrates multiple levels into one cohesive outdoor living space.

A Contemporary Landscape That Matches the Architecture

The homeowners envisioned a bold, contemporary outdoor space with clean lines, strong geometry, and functional areas for entertaining. 

The front entry establishes this aesthetic immediately with angular walkways and geometric planting beds—eschewing traditional curves in favor of crisp 45° lines. Endicott manganese pavers were selected for their deep tones, echoing the home’s exterior palette and reinforcing the modern design language. 

Clean lines and geometric planting beds create a bold, contemporary front entry.

Designing for Elevation & Outdoor Living

With a walk-out basement and significant grade change, the rear yard presented both a challenge and an opportunity.

A dramatic staircase framed by retaining walls and integrated planters connects the upper deck to a spacious lower patio—creating a seamless transition between levels while guiding movement through the space. 

The lower patio is designed with distinct zones for:

• Dining
• Lounging
• Fireside gatherings

This layered layout transforms the hillside into a highly functional outdoor living environment.

A dramatic staircase and retaining walls connect upper and lower outdoor living spaces.

Materials That Define a Modern Outdoor Space

Material selection played a key role in achieving a cohesive, contemporary look.

• Poured concrete patio with black limestone tile-set border
• Black limestone seat walls and fire feature coping
• Full veneer stone walls matching the home façade
• Endicott manganese paver walkways

These materials create contrast, continuity, and a strong architectural connection between the home and landscape. 

A natural gas fire table—with concealed lines and burners—serves as a focal point, extending usability well beyond daylight hours.

Black limestone and clean-lined materials define the contemporary outdoor space.

Elevated Experience with Lighting & Sound

To enhance both function and ambiance, the space includes:

• Low-voltage LED landscape lighting
• Built-in surround sound system

These features elevate the outdoor environment, making it ideal for entertaining day or night. 

Low-voltage lighting enhances both safety and nighttime ambiance.

Planting Design with Seasonal Impact

• The planting palette was designed to complement the modern architecture while adding seasonal color and movement.
• A vibrant mix of purples, whites, and pops of orange creates visual interest throughout the growing season. 
• A standout feature is the Heptacodium tree, which blooms in late summer and extends seasonal appeal into September. 
• Masses of ornamental grasses and perennials soften the structured hardscape while reinforcing the contemporary design.

Perennials and ornamental grasses add seasonal color and soften the structured design.

A Hilltop Transformed

What began as a steep, challenging lot is now a fully realized modern landscape that blends architecture, functionality, and outdoor living.

Hilltop Contemporary demonstrates how expert landscape design-build can transform new construction into a complete, cohesive environment—delivering both visual impact and everyday usability.

Designed for gathering, the outdoor spaces take full advantage of the hilltop setting.