Landscape Design & Build on Chicago's North Shore.
Since 1996, merging vision and nature into golden sanctuaries across Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka and Chicago's North Shore.
Topo d'Oro is a landscape design and build studio based in Evanston, Illinois. We draw the plan and then build it ourselves — masonry, carpentry, ironwork, lighting and planting all in house — for properties across Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, Skokie, Deerfield, Lincolnwood and the rest of Chicago's North Shore.
Landscape design that transcends trends and time.
I'm César — a Chicago native with a BLA in Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My hands-on experience spans continents, from the farmlands of Mexico to mangrove restoration in Puerto Rico, and it shapes how I read a site. Whether it's designing a landscape, building with stone, or shaping wood, the work is rooted in experience and crafted with care.
About Topo d'Oro →
A full range of outdoor craft — hardscape to lighting.
Landscape Design
AutoCAD site plans, 3D renderings, planting design and build documentation.
Hardscaping
Paver and natural stone patios, walkways, driveways and retaining walls.
Decks & Pergolas
Cedar and ipe decks, pergolas, railings, fences and privacy screens.
Outdoor Living
Outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fire pits and rooftop terraces.
Lighting & Water
Low-voltage LED landscape lighting, fountains and ponds.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf for lawns, pet areas, putting greens and rooftops, on a drained base.
Commercial Landscaping
Grounds, hardscape and seasonal care for associations and commercial property.
Snow & Ice Management
Plowing, sidewalk clearing and ice management on seasonal contract.
Design · Build · Enhance.
Design
We walk the property, take measurements and learn how you actually want to use the space. You get a scaled plan, AutoCAD drawings and 3D renderings, with stone, wood and plant selections shown before anything is ordered. You see the finished landscape on paper first.
Build
We pull the permits and our own crews do the work. Masonry, custom ironwork and structural carpentry are self-performed rather than subcontracted, so the wall cap, the railing detail and the beam profile match the drawings. One firm stays accountable from grading to final course.
Enhance
The last phase is what makes a landscape feel settled. Plantings go in with the seasons in mind, low-voltage lighting is aimed after dark, and water features, furnishings and finish details are tuned on site. We come back to make sure it matures the way it was drawn.
Frequently asked
What areas does Topo d'Oro serve?
Topo d'Oro is based at 1329 Dodge Ave in Evanston, Illinois and serves Chicago's North Shore, including Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Skokie, Lincolnwood and the city of Chicago. Call (847) 387-9509 to confirm your neighborhood.
Do you both design and build the landscape?
Yes. Topo d'Oro is a design-build studio. The designer who draws your plan, César, holds a BLA from the University of Illinois, and our in-house masons, carpenters and ironworkers install it. Because we build what we draw, the design you approve is the design that gets installed.
How long does a landscape design and build project take?
A typical residential design runs four to eight weeks from site analysis to an approved plan. Construction usually follows within the same season, with excavation and hardscape running roughly March through November. Larger properties and permit-heavy scopes take longer, and many clients phase a master plan over two or three seasons.
What services do you offer?
Landscape design, hardscaping (stone patios, walkways, fireplaces, retaining walls, pool decks, driveways), outdoor living spaces, custom decks and pergolas, iron and woodwork, landscape lighting, water features, artificial turf, planting design, commercial landscaping and seasonal snow and ice management.
Do you handle permits and village review?
Yes. Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka and the other North Shore villages each have their own rules for impervious coverage, setbacks, retaining walls and tree protection. We prepare the drawing sets those reviews require and handle the submission so the project does not stall at village hall.
How do I get started?
Call (847) 387-9509 or request a design consultation through the site. We will walk the property with you, discuss how you want to use the space, scope the work and put it in writing before anything begins.
Begin your golden sanctuary.
Or call the studio directly — we answer during working hours.
“Topo d'Oro transformed our backyard into a breathtaking oasis. The attention to detail and craftsmanship are unmatched.”Sophia M. — Homeowner
“From design to execution, everything was flawless. The best landscaping team we've worked with.”Emma R. — Architect