Contemporary styling
Godalming, Surrey
There are plenty of descriptors for the house on this site; it is a statuesque, 2½ storey, townhouse-style, detached property within a new build (2015) estate on the outskirts of Godalming. Tall proportions, stunning charred black timber cladding, and an impressive two-storey window alongside the staircase providing a vista onto…
…an empty garden. Seriously; nothing other than a sloping lawn surrounded by plain wooden fencing at the rear and a brick wall alongside the access road.
The clients were keen for a design that brought the garden to life, that encouraged wildlife, that allowed for plenty of planting and plant propagation, that provided outdoor relaxing and dining spaces, and that introduced some privacy from the surrounding estate.
We recommended a bold, contemporary shaping of the garden to complement the style of the surrounding architecture, and encouraged the use of pathways, routes and destinations to increase the feeling of space and content. Moreover, we had to contend with a significant slope away house and a height difference of nearly 1.5m down to the far corner of the garden.
The design process led from the drawing board, to CAD, to a full 3D rendering allowing the clients to really appreciate what they were getting in advance of the landscapers arriving on site. If your device allows, there is an interactive walk-through presentation just below:-
The build process itself was an incredible challenge for the landscapers (Acer Projects) but they were outstanding and delivered a truly superb construction.
A number of different designs had been considered and refined, but the end result was a wonderful layout of tiered lawns and gravel pathways. The angular nature of the design and the blend of brick & wooden edging were deliberately chosen to complement the surrounding architecture. One particular pathway steps down away from the lounge window to create a long vista towards the far corner of the garden, whilst another zig-zags along between the lower lawn and series of flowerbeds against the far fence-line. This is to maximise the length of this route and deliberately slow-down the pace as you walk past the planting.
These pathways lead to a patio space towards the far end of the garden positioned with care in order to maximise sunshine throughout the day, whilst backed by slatted cedar panels and planting to provide privacy from the neighbouring buildings. The fence to the bottom and side of the garden were replaced with chestnut railing to give a sense of connection to the woods beyond the end of the garden, as well as direct access to the garden at the front of the house.
Meanwhile, a smaller and more immediately accessible patio space next to the rear door of the property catches the morning sunshine and looks out on the kitchen garden sat against the brick walling at the top of the garden. This area provides a very warm, sheltered space to improve growing conditions for there plants.
The final result was truly stunning.
