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Garden Design
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Contemporary Courtyard
Clearly there would be no point in trying to replicate their old garden on a smaller scale - a completely fresh approach was needed. The house is built into the side of a hill so that the rear courtyard is at first floor level where the main living room and kitchen are also situated. The space is dominated by a timber crib retaining wall, more than four metres high, forming the rear boundary.This somewhat unusual arrangement provided a starting point. I soon discovered that my clients were creative people involved in print making, sculpture and textile design and very appreciative of texture, colour, form and pattern : if the courtyard could provide enough interest of this nature, perhaps they would not miss their thirteen acres of countryside so much. The design treats the space as a gallery where interesting and beautiful objects can be displayed. Raised beds and plinths are formed of rendered and painted blockwork or of wire gabion baskets filled with limestone rubble, creating rich contrasts of texture and colour. A potting bench with compost bins and tool storage screened behind hardwood slats is integral to the design. Planting was by the owners themselves and includes many architectural specimens. Recently, they have been experimenting with mirrors. |
My clients had retired from a rural property with thirteen acres, where they had created formal gardens and planted a wood, to a brand new town house with a small courtyard. They are active gardeners and wanted to grow interesting plants, including vegetables, in their new garden. They had a collection of bonsai specimens, some tender exotics in pots, and a large antique jar which all had to be accommodated.