November 29, 2012
A well-designed space should be able to tempt clients out even on days like this, says landscaping guru and new PrimeResi columnist Barry Burrows.
The fashion for high specification garden design is growing as informed clients begin to understand the importance of the exterior space to their wellbeing and to the value of their property. With space for living at a premium in the city, the advent of new technologies and innovative design solutions are making a huge impact on the higher end of the housing market.
The prime requirement is the desire for space that can be utilised across the whole year, with the added benefits of all the amenities that exist inside the house. A well designed garden should be able to tempt you outside on any day of the year, protect you from the elements and excite and stimulate the senses to give the ‘feel good factor’.
In small spaces, the illusion of depth can be created by artificially extending the focal point of a view, either by use of clever proportions, mirrors, or by colour theory, whilst in the larger gardens subtle design variations will allow the perception of greater width and complexity.
Sensitive lighting will enhance the experience, with different lighting settings created to produce changeable ‘moods’, as lighting requirements vary between seasons. Summer lighting may be focused on a seating area for evening entertainment, whilst winter lighting will create a tableau of textures to be viewed from the house.
Roof terraces provide the most striking opportunities to make a difference to a lifestyle
Within the external space, there is often a desire for all requirements to be met, and to this end we have installed kitchens, wine storage units, heating, television, multimedia, remote operated sliding roofs and any number of seats, sculptures and lights. Roof terraces provide the most striking opportunities to make a difference to a lifestyle as the roof is nearly always unused prior to conversion. The ultimate benefit is that the space opens up a huge number of possibilities that provide so much in space, light, privacy and the mental well being of simply having an area that provides escape from the indoors. When creating a roof garden several factors need to be kept in mind and planning can be an issue, but once that bridge has been crossed, the possibilities can be endless. We find many clients wishing for their transformation to be complete and mature from the start; so the ability to source and install mature plants in all sorts of locations, from roof tops to rolling acres is a great resource. In these technically advanced days the repositioning of even quite large trees is feasible, which is a huge advantage with the current concern for space.
In Knightsbridge, we created a sumptuous external entertainment space from very inauspicious beginnings. The refurbishment of small house in an exclusive gated mews gave us the opportunity to add layers of light and planting as the addition of a basement provided light wells which accentuated the three dimensional aspects of the garden. The garden doubled the area available for entertainment in the main reception room in all weathers as a sliding roof and concealed heaters extended the living space outdoors. The wall treatments of climbers and water features, combined with the awning, provided perfect privacy on every day of the year. The use of mirror surfaces and lighting also doubled and redoubled the space, making the garden feel much larger than reality. This garden has won two national awards, one for design and one for the innovative use of technology.
the necessity to have the quality of finish in the external space reflecting that of indoors
A grey and uninspiring terrace in Chelsea was transformed from a cold, windblown tunnel into a lavish green space, with the planting of mature shrubs to protect from the wind, heaters, a wine fridge and serving area. A perfect example of the necessity to have the quality of finish in the external space reflecting that of indoors. Crisp edges, high end material and plant specification combined with beautifully placed lighting make this an award winning green room that would enhance any property.
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