How a Backyard Became a Spa Retreat Built Around Fire
- A Project Feature with Colin Martin of Martin Landscape & Design
Some backyards are functional and some are beautiful. The best ones are both and they make you want to stay outside long after you planned to come in. The project Colin Martin and his team at Martin Landscape & Design completed is one of those backyards.
At the center of it all sits the DreamCast Zen 48 concrete gas fire pit. Not as an afterthought or as the last thing added to the budget. It’s the anchor point the whole space was designed around.
We sat down with Colin to talk through the project, the design decisions behind it and why the fire feature came first.
Meet Martin Landscape & Design
Martin Landscape & Design is a Squamish-based landscaping company working throughout the Sea to Sky corridor, from North Vancouver up to Whistler. Their specialty is full backyard renovations, with a focus on stonework, lighting and complete outdoor living spaces. The kind of projects where every element is intentionally chosen and nothing feels random.
Colin has been building outdoor spaces long enough to know what tends to get treated as an afterthought. The fire feature, more often than not, is it. With this project, Colin chose the perfect fire pit in advance.
The Vision Behind the Project
The brief was clear from the start. The client wanted a space for gathering. Not just a nice yard to look at through the window, but a place where people would actually use every corner of it.
The design response was a full spa setup including a sauna, a hot tub, a pergola and integrated Kichler landscape lighting throughout.
The fire pit was positioned deliberately at the center of that experience. “The firepit was positioned as the central gathering feature,” Colin explains, “creating a natural place for people to connect after using the spa amenities.”
That idea, the fire pit as the connective tissue between the spa elements, shaped every other decision on the project.
Why the Zen 48?
The patio footprint was 20 by 40 feet. That is a generous space and it needed a fire feature with enough presence to hold its own without dominating the layout. The Zen 48 hit the mark.
“The 4-foot fire pit scaled perfectly,” Colin says. “It fits the space well and anchors the layout without overpowering it.”
Beyond the dimensions, the choice came down to two things: design and performance. The Zen 48 runs on natural gas with a cross pilot ignition system, which means it starts reliably, burns at high output and requires nothing from the host beyond turning it on. For a gathering space, that matters. The easier the fire is to operate, the more it gets used.
“We wanted a fire feature that was easy to use so the host could actually enjoy the space,” Colin says. That is a straightforward idea that a lot of fire feature selections miss entirely.
The aesthetic fit was just as important. The Zen 48 is clean and modern, with a profile that works equally well in contemporary and naturalistic settings. On this project, Colin paired it with interlocking stone throughout the patio.
“I felt like the unit paired well with the interlocking stone we used,” he says. “It provides a nice medium that blends modern concrete with the natural features of the plants in the space.”
That balance between the manufactured and the organic is one of the things concrete does well. It is a material that does not fight its surroundings. It settles in.
About the Zen 48
The Zen 48 is a concrete gas fire pit designed for outdoor living spaces that take performance as seriously as aesthetics. Available in natural gas and propane configurations, it features a cross pilot ignition system and is built from DreamCast’s fiber-reinforced concrete in a range of finishes to complement any outdoor palette.
Explore the Zen 48 | Browse All Fire Pits
The Zen 48 is a concrete gas fire pit designed for outdoor living spaces that take performance as seriously as aesthetics. Available in natural gas and propane configurations, it features a cross pilot ignition system and is built from DreamCast’s fiber-reinforced concrete in a range of finishes to complement any outdoor palette.
It suits modern patios, spa-oriented backyards, and commercial hospitality settings equally well, and it scales properly in a wide range of outdoor footprints. For outdoor spaces where the fire feature needs to anchor the layout without dominating it, the Zen 48 is a natural fit.
Getting the Installation Right
A concrete gas fire pit in an outdoor space comes with a few non-negotiables from a build perspective. Utility concealment was the priority.
“It was important to have all of the utilities concealed and maintain a clean look,” Colin says. When gas lines and connections are visible, they pull attention away from the experience. The goal is for the fire to feel effortless, as if it simply appeared there. That takes planning and careful coordination during the build, but the result is worth it.
The clean lines of the Zen 48 made that easier. There is no visual clutter to the unit itself, which means there is less work required to make the overall installation feel intentional.
A Year Later, They Are Still Using It
The real test of an outdoor space is not how it photographs on the day of completion. It is whether the client is still out there a year later, actually living in it.
Colin’s answer on this one was unambiguous. “They’re extremely happy. It’s a standout backyard and they continue to use and enjoy the space regularly a year later.”
That kind of longevity is what thoughtful design produces. The spa amenities are premium. The lighting creates ambiance after dark. And when the evening winds down or between sauna sessions, people gather around the fire. It works because the whole space works together.
What Builders and Designers Get from Working with DreamCast
Colin has another Zen 48 currently going into a project in North Vancouver. When we asked what keeps him coming back to DreamCast products, his answer was direct.
“DreamCast keeps things simple and well-executed. The products don’t overcomplicate the space, allowing the fire feature to enhance the experience without taking away from it.”
That is a meaningful thing for a landscaper to say. Outdoor spaces can become busy very quickly. Every element competes for attention. A fire feature that knows what it is, and does it well, without demanding that everything else bend around it, is a professional’s dream to work with.
“The units are reliable, well designed and consistently deliver,” Colin adds. For a builder speccing products across multiple projects, reliability is not a nice-to-have. It is the whole thing.
The Trend Colin Is Watching
Backyard spa setups are growing fast across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Saunas, hot tubs, fire features, outdoor showers, the full residential wellness experience. Colin is seeing it regularly in the projects his clients bring to him.
His advice for anyone designing one of these spaces is simple and worth taking seriously. “Prioritize the fire feature early. It often becomes the focal point, but is treated as an afterthought. Budgeting for it upfront allows the space to be properly designed around it.”
He elaborates further. “The key is designing the space as a whole. Sauna, hot tub, fire feature working together. The fire pit acts as a natural gathering point between spa cycles and helps tie the entire space together.”
That is the thing about fire. It has always been where people end up. The challenge is building a space worthy of it.
Get In Touch
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FAQs
What sizes does the DreamCast Zen fire pit come in?
The Zen series is available in three sizes, the Zen 34, Zen 36 and Zen 48. The Zen 48 is the largest of the three and works particularly well in larger patio footprints where the fire feature needs to anchor the space without being undersized for the surroundings. If you are unsure which size suits your layout, our team can help you work through the proportions based on your patio dimensions.
Is the Zen 48 available in both natural gas and propane?
Yes, the Zen 48 is available in both natural gas and propane configurations. Natural gas is the more common choice for permanent installations where a gas line is already on the property, since it eliminates the need to manage tank refills. Propane is a practical option for sites where running a gas line is not feasible. Either way, the cross pilot ignition system makes the unit straightforward to operate regardless of fuel source.
What is the Zen 48 made from and how does it hold up outdoors?
The Zen 48 is cast from fiber-reinforced concrete, the same material used across the DreamCast fire pit and mantel collections. It is built specifically for outdoor use and handles exposure to the elements well over time. The color runs throughout the mix rather than sitting on the surface, so weathering and minor wear do not expose a different-colored core underneath. Occasional resealing will keep the finish looking its best, and DreamCast includes care guidance with every order.
How difficult is the Zen 48 to install?
For most projects, a licensed gas fitter will handle the utility connection and the unit itself is positioned and integrated by your landscaper or contractor. The key installation consideration is utility concealment, running the gas line in a way that keeps the finished look clean and uncluttered. If you are working with a landscape professional, they will coordinate the utility and patio trades together. DreamCast’s team is also available to answer technical questions during the planning process.
Can the Zen 48 be used in a commercial or hospitality setting?
The Zen series is well suited to commercial applications including restaurant patios, hotel courtyards, resort amenity spaces, and wellness facilities. The Zen 48 in particular has the scale and output to perform in larger outdoor settings where the fire feature needs to be both a functional heat source and a visual centerpiece. DreamCast has a trade program for designers, architects, and commercial clients, and the team can work through specifications, lead times, and custom requirements for larger projects.
As a partner at DreamCast, she has been immersed in the decorative concrete industry since 2007, specializing in fire pits & mantels. With a passion for interior design her expertise drives innovative design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Author
Catherine Traschenko
Fire Products
Design Specialist
Author
Catherine Traschenko
Fire Products
Design Specialist