Botanical Traditions - Domestic Landscape Design

This site presented the landscape designer with a number of opportunities as well as constraints. The back garden faces south and received very little sunlight while the front garden faces north and receives very strong sun. The most had to be made of both the front and back gardens to ensure the clients received the maximum use of both areas of garden. 

The site is located in Yarraville and borders a busy street and factory conversion. The front garden is viewed by people as they approach the front door of the house and also by the floor to ceiling windows of the study area. It was felt that the most should be made of this area so a paved area was designed where the owners could sit in the sunlight, a stainless plant screen was used to provide architectural detail while the planting scheme was slightly oriental in theme.

Once people enter the house they are drawn into the main kitchen/entertainment area which looks directly onto the back garden.  People enter the backgarden via a large deck area which helps to navigate the level change between the inside floor level and the garden level making a smooth transition between the inside and outside area. People can step of the deck onto an interesting paved area. The mortar joints have been staggered and the paved section is surrounded by channel filled with loose translucent pebbles. At night these glow from below due to a specially designed lighting scheme. Basalt parquetry tiles have been used as an edging to give another level of texture and interest. The planting design is very simple and relies on texture and form to create dramatic architectural form which is highlighted by the coloured panels behind. The whole area is linked together by the use of colour, texture and materials while the bold curved shape of the paved area creates depth and interest in the area. 

Featured In
'Outdoor Design and Living Edition 12'