Landscape architecture by Outdoor Design Studios Ltd (formerly Topia Garden Design)
In the busy Auckland suburb of Remuera, a professional couple sought to redesign their sloped and outdated garden into a functional and beautiful outdoor living space. The team at Outdoor Design Studios took on the project, with the intention of maximising both the garden’s usability and its visual potential, all while creating fluidity between the house and the landscape.
The Brief
The garden design team were essentially given a blank slate with instructions only to ensure they kept the existing Japanese maple tree on site, inspiring a Japanese-influenced design style throughout the garden.
The homeowners envisioned a garden that maximised the sunlight at different times of the day, with multiple areas for relaxation and entertaining. The primary goal was to reimagine the steeply sloping garden, which lacked a cohesive layout.
The existing garden featured a blend of sunken old red bricks, rock walls, and deteriorating concrete pathways. A specific request was made for a modern, low-maintenance design that included no lawn, while ensuring that the garden would feel inviting and be a sanctuary for greenery and plant life.
The brief also included improvements to the front entrance and the addition of a covered walkway, connecting the garage to the main house, with the overall intention of enhancing first impressions for visitors.
The Transformation
A carefully considered design process was undertaken to address the complexities of the steeply sloping site. The team at Outdoor Design Studio worked meticulously, introducing thoughtful planting schemes and a straightforward material palette to bring the garden to life. Mature trees, including the existing Japanese maple, were preserved and highlighted, while new retaining walls were built to create distinct, usable spaces near the house.
The garden layout was designed to balance practicality with visual appeal. Key elements included a generous deck and an outdoor dining area, both positioned to capture sunlight and offer a seamless flow from the home’s interior to its exterior.
Canopy posts were relocated to enhance the entrance, while the garage foundation was reinforced to allow the stairs to be positioned away from the house, adding space and improving the overall experience of approaching the home. The new entrance path, framed by carefully selected fencing and gates, now offers a much more inviting journey, guiding visitors through the garden while showcasing the surrounding greenery.
The Result
The finished project is a sophisticated and tranquil outdoor space that belies its technical complexity. The clever design complements the home’s architecture and gives the impression of a much larger space.
A once-neglected garden has transformed into an inviting retreat with multiple areas for relaxation and entertaining friends and whānau.
Key Plant List
- Camellia (boundary hedge)
- Buxus ‘Green Gem’ (domes dotted throughout the ground cover)
- Vinca minor ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ (ground cover spilling over retaining walls)
- Acorus gramineus minimus ‘Mini Green’
- Gardenia veitchii
- Ophiopogon japonicus ‘Nana’
- Ophiopogon planiscarpus
- Trachelospermum jaminoidies (star jasmine)
- Zephyranthes candida
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