The brief was to create a terrace and garden with space for the family to cook and eat outside, and entertain guests who can relish in the stunning river view. But above all, make the garden a safe area for children to play.
This contemporary property is located in a desirable suburb of Bristol, with breathtaking views over the gorge and River Avon.
Positioned south/south-west, the garden enjoys sunshine for most of the day, and although exposed, it's slightly sheltered by the fact that the property is set into the cliff face.
The kitchen terrace wraps around the kitchen/living space of the house, and had a composite deck.
The entertaining terrace is accessed via the steep steps to the side, or through the house, and had astro turf with a steep drop to the sloping lawn area below, which was largely unusable due to the gradient.
At the side return are manhole covers that require annual access, with more astroturf and some shrubs.
The garden design involved designating zones with terraces of porcelain paving, Limestone setts, and balustrades, with the larger part of the terrace being a perfect place to locate a small kitchen area for outdoor cooking. The deck on the kitchen terrace was removed, and we brought planting closer to the house.
A play space in the side return was also designed, taking into consideration the manhole covers which need regular access.
Ways in which we could buffer the noise of traffic from the Portway were also considered, such as planting trees, bamboo and/or grasses, whose leaves will rustle in the breeze, or a running water feature (safe for young children), among other design tactics.
With no access for plan machinery, all groundworks and excavations were undertaken by hand. Waste and materials had to be carried in and out of the garden via a flight of 18 steps.
The finished terraced garden is contemporary and elegant, with planting complementing the cliff-side location - dought-tolerant and coastal plants were chosen due to the exposed location, including Sisyrinchium Striatu, Tiarella Cordifolia, Aster x Frikartii ‘Mönch’, Pennisetum Alopecuroides, and Stipa Tenuissima.
The porcelain paving and wall cladding, along with Limestone setts create a soft and natural look to the terraces, while retaining a refined feel.
The bespoke steel and cedar powder-coated balustrade alongside the steel pergola and Corten steel water feature create some interest and a hard edge next to the naturalistic planting, without distracting from the stunning views beyond.
Finally, the cedar and concrete kitchen station with Big Green Egg provides the perfect outdoor cooking, dining and entertaining opportunity that the clients desired.
