Outdoor Establishments - Gold Award

Plantscape Design 

Design Brief:

The brief for the horticultural design was a sculptural and bold garden that would not be over-powered by the dominant architecture. Waterwise plantings were specifically requested. As were feature plantings at strategic locations around the property. Views out of the home were an essential consideration as the building had many large windows and openings that required a landscaped outlook.

The North facing landscape, on the water side of the house was exposed to salt spray, full sun and high winds. In contrast to this, the landscape on the Southern side of the house was far more protected, but still received full to part sun exposure. Micro-climatic conditions experienced inside the home had to be considered when designing the internal atrium and balcony plantings.

Tree cover on the site was minimal, and the client had already decided to install synthetic lawns. As such, the site radiates a lot of heat in the summer months and the planting design needed to respond to this.

Planting combinations of Australian natives and exotics including some Cacti were selected. These dryer climate plantings being carefully considered due to Sydney’s high rain fall and high humidity. While architectural species were an obvious choice to reinforce the built form, it was important these were balanced out with softer form plantings.

Judges’ Comments:

A stunning bold, waterwise garden that compliments the bold architecture of this residential home. The internal atriums are a special feature of the design and the plants are the overall prominent feature of this landscape.

Photographer: Sue Stubbs

Location: Sydney NSW

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