cranbrook, kent
award: winner (domestic garden £50-£100k) at british association of landscape industries awards 2004
completed: 2006
client: private
architect: roderick james associates
size: 1 hectare
photography: helen fickling
We frequently make gardens for interesting and unique contemporary homes and I am always keen that our involvement comes early on in the project because the architecture, interiors and gardens are intrinsically linked and will undoubtedly influence each other. Our landscape design will often be a vital part of the planning application.
This client for whom we have now completed 4 different gardens has a young family and I designed a garden which was full of adventure rather than brightly coloured play equipment and plastic toys. The curved walls are directly inspired by the central tower of the house and their aesthetic properties are apparent but they are also perfect for young kids to clamber over as are the huge boulders which lead through the planting. The walls also create level lawns in a sloping site, a backdrop to the planting, and are illuminated at night.