The best gardens are designed at the same time as the house. When the architect and the garden designer work together, the doors land in the right place, the levels line up and the garden becomes part of the home rather than something tacked on at the end. That is what we mean by house and garden design.
Why involve a garden designer early
Too often, the garden is considered only once the building work is finished, by which point the budget has gone, the levels are fixed and the garden is full of spoil. Bringing a garden designer in at the planning stage avoids expensive mistakes.
- Levels: setting the floor level of an extension to work with the garden, avoiding steps where they are not wanted.
- Thresholds: matching internal and external floors so the garden feels like an extension of the room.
- Views: placing windows and rooflights to frame trees and planting.
- Services: laying drainage, irrigation and lighting cables before the floor goes down.
One palette of materials
Choosing materials for the house and garden together gives a project a quiet consistency. The same stone inside and out, brick that matches the house, timber that weathers to the colour of the window frames. The garden starts to read as another room.
Planting close to the house
Planting next to the house should work hard: climbers to soften new walls, scented plants by doors and windows, and pots and raised beds that bring the garden right up to the glass. We plan these details alongside the architecture so there is soil, support and water where they are needed.
Working with your architect
We regularly collaborate with architects and builders, sharing drawings and attending site meetings. Whether you are adding a rear extension in London or restoring a house in the country, we can join the team at any stage, though the earlier the better.
