An example brief: The Cheese

An Example Brief: The Cheese

Now we'll look at an example of a garden I designed in London, to explore how functions can be balanced even in a small space to create a garden that fulfils the many diverse needs of a large family.

Key Features of the Brief:

• the garden was a rectangle about 5-6m wide and 6-7m long, with a tall, ply wall at the back belonging to neighbours and not much that we could borrow from the surrounding gardens
• the parents and children all wanted different things from the garden – storage, places to play, somewhere to sit, a water feature. They also wanted flowers but also something a bit dramatic and fun.

My Solution:

• we created a multipurpose building to screen the back wall, which incorporates storage, a seating area and a water feature
• to please the children I made the journey to it an adventure. As there weren't many native trees around that would visually clash, I used tree ferns to create a sense of prehistoric jungle to run through.

Satisfying Many Needs

The building I created for the London client had many functions:

• storage at the back
• shelter for dining
• somewhere to sit inside – a reading nook
• a journey through stepping stones, long grass and tree ferns to get to it.

Play, sitting, eating, storage, relaxing, fun and entertaining are all included.

Sourcebook

• You can find the finished layout for 'The Cheese' here.

Plant Directory

Dicksonia species

Tree ferns

Half-hardy evergreen tree ferns

Dicksoniaceae