The house and garden were in a stunning location in the hills above Portofino with views along the coastline. The client wanted a garden with a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere that could be enjoyed by adults and children as a weekend and holiday home. As such, it needed to offer places to socialise, relax, escape and explore. The choice of materials was key, in order to create a contemporary feel while at the same time drawing on local styles and techniques. The long path leading from the car parking area to the house was flanked on one side by the tall retaining wall of the swimming pool, which was built into the ground above. To prevent it feeling like a corridor, rounded pebbles set in concrete were combined with long stone strips to break up the space and give a pattern and rhythm to the approach.Throughout other areas of the garden, varying paving patterns and material formats created different experiences and encouraged exploration, while natural stone walls used for the swimming pool, the terraced garden, amphitheatre and other structures provided a visual link and a continuity that held the garden together. Mediterranean style planting included citrus and other fruit trees, olives, a palm walk and pencil cypresses, while clipped box forms provided structure and a crisp modern edge closer to the house.
