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Terraced Contemporary Garden
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Terraced Contemporary Garden
Brief
Located in the village of Barlaston, this large residential garden was to be transformed to provide a family-friendly garden. Existing materials made the garden seem neglected; the greenhouse was in disrepair and the garden needed to be transformed. The brief included the requirements for a space to socialise and relax with friends and family, a play space, outdoor kitchen area and a space to relax and enjoy the outdoor environment. Creating a family-friendly garden was crucial to the design brief so the client’s family could utilise their garden for years to come.
Design & Build Process
It was an exciting prospect to design this large residential garden with contemporary materials. Influenced by the existing topography, the design introduces form and provides character areas based on the client’s brief.
The lower terrace is framed by porcelain paving and provides ease of access around the garden. The set of porcelain steps leads you from the kitchen into the garden via double doors. A dynamic planting scheme wraps around the house, providing colour and texture that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Designing the upper terrace included an outdoor kitchen area with space for entertaining and socialising. Raised cladded planters offer height and pleached trees to the boundary provide screening from the adjacent house. Composite black batons are a recycled material which have longevity and will provide an improved boundary for years to come. Porcelain steps, glass balustrades and rendered walls give a contemporary finish. As you walk down the steps towards the house, a fire pit area with a water feature wall greets you and provides a focal point which can be enjoyed from the house and while sat on the lower terrace.
Regarding the build process, access was challenging due to a narrow doorway restricting access to the rear garden. However we utilised the adjacent road and managed to load our materials safely to the side of the upper garden, which was much more efficient. Using DesignClad we were able to create a modern look with minimal joins which has offered a stylish finish to the outdoor kitchen garden.
Outcome
Character areas within the garden provide various experiences and opportunities for the whole family to engage in their outdoor environment. This garden exceeded the customers’ expectations thanks to the exceptionally high standards of installation and attention to detail taken through the design and build process. At night, the up lighters to the planting, water feature wall and architectural elements transform the garden into a space that can be used throughout the year, from gathering around the fire pit in the colder months to summer evenings.
The open lawn area provides the perfect opportunity for the children to play, while the bark mulched area future-proofs the design and has enabled fixed play elements to be installed. Planting wrapping around the garden boundaries can be enjoyed from the key areas of the garden, while planting brought into the garden adds intrigue and interest. The curved paviour sett walkway from the top step offers a journey amongst planting beds either side, with Topiary Taxus baccata balls giving a feel of opulence and structural elements to the space successfully leading you on a journey up to the pergola seating area. Framed by Laurus nobilis Ball on Stem Topiary the seating area can be used as a place to read and retreat from the rest of the garden.