This mid-century house, expanded and modernised, needed a thoughtful redesign to restore and enhance the garden. The original garden, designed by John Brookes in the 1970s, inspired our approach, as we aimed to honour his legacy while supporting biodiversity and ecological balance.
Taking cues from Denmans, John Brookes' former home, we focused on integrating natural elements like water, rocks, gravel, and native planting to support local wildlife and promote a biodiverse habitat. Key features include a new water feature by the modern glass-fronted cloister, which flows into a stream and then naturally into the pond—creating a harmonious environment for plants, insects, and birds alike.
We wanted to add a natural focal point that would bring movement, sound, and a connection to nature. It was essential that the stream felt authentic, so I personally positioned many of the smaller rocks to control the water’s speed as it journeyed from the upper pool to the pond.
Water brings life to any garden. The curved profile of the pond flows seamlessly into the adjacent steps, also constructed from Corten steel. This rusted tone adds to the rugged mood and links to the architectural palette.
The lower boardwalk improved movement around the garden and allowed us to soften the boundary with new planting. The angular articulation of the decking added a nice contrast to adjacent planting, allowing the path to weave through the existing Alders.
