The project is a response to the rhythms of daily occupation expressed in the existing architecture, and was conceived as an opportunity to extend these activities to under utilised outdoor spaces. Themes of enclosure & screening, solar access and connectivity were critical in siting major vegetation elements, while groundplane surfaces were selected with consideration to durability, ability to manage heavy rainfall events, as well as the possibility of edible/productive capacity. The garden functionally responds to the client request for “a nice garden that the dogs can’t dig up”. Despite the relatively dense planting in a small area, the central space is large enough for an outdoor table setting or a garden party.
Siting of hardscape elements is such that they both discourage digging and facilitate stormwater drainage in times of heavy inundation, while the planting palette is robust enough to not require constant maintenance. The garden is a place of contemplation and relaxation, and highly responsive to environmental conditions. Groundcovers retreat and advance according to the amount of rainfall, while deciduous trees filter summer sun, then allow equally valuable winter sun to penetrate living spaces. The planting is durable enough to survive the extremes of a subtropical climate, and offers a subtle seasonal variation not generally associated with the region. The resulting space speaks to embedded patterns of habitation and provides an opportunity to transpose those activities to a garden setting.
