Meander Garden

Our clients already had a great garden: cracking views, some big existing trees, and abundant birdlife. With no fence between themselves and a friendly neighbour, both households enjoyed the sense of space this afforded their otherwise narrow lots.

Located on a steeply sloping block, the upper level of the house looked into the tree canopy, but felt removed from the garden. A cubby house right at the bottom of the yard had been a drawcard when their children were younger, this project was aimed at better connecting the house and garden now, and providing a reason to venture outdoors.

We designed a meandering path to navigate the level changes, and create a journey past all the existing garden highlights. A new sheltered seating nook provided a destination, a place to pause and look back and enjoy the garden from a different perspective.

Collaboration:

Landscape construction: Sanctuary Landscapes.

The concept plan showing the access path wrapping close to the boundary, weaving around the existing trees and maintaining the sense of open lawn shared with the neighbours.

Looking back up towards the stepping path from the new seating area.

These images: courtesy Sanctuary Landscapes.

Climbing plants will add further enclosure to the structures.

The middle lawn area wraps around the sculptural trunks of an existing tree.

Looking from the upper lawn terrace down towards the new seating area.

New steps provided a direct connection to the garden from the lower level of the house, as well as a bench seating area close to the firepit.

The following images show the garden before the new works: interesting level changes, great existing vegetation, and a contrast between shady screened spaces and open lawn.