Wanting to make the most of their small Arlington property and spend more time outdoors, these homeowners added a screened porch and set out to create a garden retreat just beyond the bustle of Washington, DC. The resulting landscape packs an unexpected amount into a compact footprint, with a series of layered spaces that wrap around the traditional white home. Working within strict local stormwater regulations, FORM integrated water management into the design through custom planters that provide stormwater storage while supporting lush plantings. Layers of native plants, grasses, and perennials fill the garden, bringing texture, movement, and color through all four seasons. New custom fencing and screening trees create privacy, while a dining terrace wrapped by a low wall provides an intimate space for gathering. At the rear of the property, a tucked-away secret garden offers another destination, making the landscape feel deeper and more expansive than its footprint suggests.