Birchgrove - Bates Landscape

10-11 March 2018

Designer: Phil Ayling

This historical Victorian era house has a contemporary addition – it’s seen as a public asset and the relationship to the streetscape is critical.

We built a garden that stitches the old and new in a harmonious composition. Corten steel and in-situ concrete are blended with traditional materials like sandstone.  Natural bedrock has been exposed and polished to compliment sandstone paving, while detailed craftsmanship has created a number of distinct spaces and hidden places.

In the spirit of public engagement, a slot in the sandstone boundary fence provides a glimpse into the entrance courtyard. We even placed a stepping stone to encourage stickybeaks. The peephole is angled to modify the view; passers-by can’t see into the house, but they can observe the well water feature.