Roseville- Tig Crowley Designs

10-11 March 2018

The gardens of this large block had not been updated since the house's construction in the 1960's and due to its size and slope, the rear hillside garden was a partial wilderness. The original rear garden’s retaining walls were near the back door with a step down and two steps up to a sloping lawn, providing little immediate outdoor amenity. The owners' brief was for a complete redesign of the property, creating a social space for entertaining family and friends and allowing the grandchildren to have some level playing areas. They also requested wheelchair, mower and bins access to the lower rear lawn area.  

Extensive excavation was required to create both formal and casual wall terracing and stairs which addressed the rear garden’s slope and made level arrival areas of interest and allowed for play. The large windows at the rear were converted to a double doorway opening onto a timber deck at floor level (no step) and construction of a pergola and trellis structure covered with Ornamental Grape, enables comfortable year-round outdoor living in pleasant surrounds.

The result is an accessible, exciting and functional landscape with an enticing view to ponder and explore. The planting palette’s blend of native and exotic plants is reflective of the site appearing lush and retrospective, achieved through careful planning and attention to detail.

The front garden received a complete overhaul resulting in improved street appeal. The old brick fence was replaced with sandstone pillars connected by low stone walls. A separate pedestrian entrance and generous front path with a circular reception area provides an inviting sense of arrival. The sandstone driveway allows for two cars to park side-by-side to avoid the ‘tandem dilemma’ and is partially planted to allow some permeability.