Ben Saunders, Northcote

Our lovely clients were hoping for a native inspired aesthetic, that would create a sense of calm and quite in a garden that is less than 100m from a busy road, shops and noise. As part of the design process, we discussed elements that would create visual and sonic interest all year round. We aimed for lots of colour from flower and foliage, and we worked to build a soundscape from a water feature and from the wind playing with textures in the garden. These elements needed to work together to create an ease of movement through the whole property, making it feel like an extension of the home which would bring them outside more often and make it more comfortable/create a sense of peace for the clients to be in the open air.

We wanted to create a layout that gave a sense of feeling like they would be in their own natural environment, one that was inspired by the local and greater Australian landscapes. The rear of the home is highly utilised by our clients and is predominantly windows. Having a garden that surrounded the house and created views from the kitchen and lounge, gave them the feeling of living in a landscape.

We took inspiration from environments beyond the local, such a places along South Australian coastline where the clients have travelled to on numerous times. International travels to the Mediterranean also inspired the clients, leading us to a planting palette and garden tone that would shape the design. An important theme in the garden was to use naturally formed materials (split stone paving, boulders and gravel toppings) in conjunction with textural plantings, that were then contrasted with sculptural and geometric forms, such as concrete rings and a sawn timber batten screen.

It was important to create a garden where local birds and insects could come to enjoy the environment and assist in pollinations of the veggies, and as the garden has matured, we’re seeing regular visitors like Wattle Birds and other honey eaters enjoying the flowers in the trees and shrubs below.