Rickmansworth Garden

The Brief

The existing garden is on a sloping site. The brief was quite relaxed, with one specific request; to incorporate into the design a 128 sq.m section of overgrown land sat to the rear of the garden, currently walled off by a 3m hedge. Secondly, to provide a visual connection and create a relaxed area for the family to entertain and for the children to have a place to spend time with friends.

The clients have extended the footprint of the house for a growing family, which in turn significantly reduced the size of the existing patio, so an area to accomodate a family dining table and one that provides a visual flow up the garden through the patio doors was a must.

Design and Build

The intention was to visually open up the garden to create a journey transitioning through each level.

From the patio porcelain stepping stones provide a path across the lawn where you are met by 5m wide turf treads, with Cor-Ten risers that elevate you to the lawn on the second level. Here you continue along the path until you reach a second set of Cor-Ten steps, this time filled with Cotswold Buff gravel, which culminate to a decked are with bespoke pergola and relaxed seating area. The seating area under the pergola is home to a fire pit table, which seamlessly connects to a contemporary double corner bi-fold garden room. The deck is screened from the house by a beautiful Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' which is surrounded with herbacious planting.