This design seeks to maximise the useable area of this small urban garden, creating a space that is both practical and inviting while affording an attractive vista from the house.
The garden will retain its split level layout, but the beds running own either side of the upper section of the space will be removed to allow a more modern and stylish solution to the space.
Flooring throughout the garden will be in attractive and durable Yellow Balau hardwood decking. A bespoke water feature set into the decking directly outside the back door will offer an unusual focal point to the lower area of the garden. Comprising a metal grill over a sunken rill, the feature will be fed from above by two stainless steel pipes protruding from the retaining wall either side of the steps to the upper area, to create an elegant entrance to the garden proper. The steps themselves will be overlaid with decking to bring continuity between the separate levels.
Decking will cover the majority of the upper level, the remainder of which will be given over to planting with the construction of a raised bed at the back of the space. The raised bed's 1 metre high rendered block front retaining wall will support a 'floating' bench seat, constructed from sturdy new railway sleepers and benefiting from a matching table.
The decking will continue to the left of the upper garden to cover the patch of bed by the side of the unusual existing 'conservatory' structure, and inlaid with artificial turf to allow the client to use this area for sunbathing or the placement of a barbeque should they so wish. The section of the lower garden directly below this area will benefit from a bespoke, water-proof deck-clad storage unit. Featuring a sturdy, artificial turf clad roof (strong enough to support several people's weight), this storage space will be built to just below the ground floor windows, necessitating a step to and from the lawn area above.
The rear wall will be clad to the height of two metres above the raised bed with stainless steel sheeting, to provide a striking backdrop to the garden and help to raise light levels by reflecting sunlight into the space. Three bespoke columns, constructed from opaque off-white perspex sheeting and erected at intervals along the back wall, will frame the upper garden and form a focal point to the space.
