Private Garden in Mylor

The site contained a large derelict double garage and limited and dangerous access to the house from the lower parking level. There was no privacy from the road and the levels were complex.

We made a series of physical models of the site to test possible layouts and to look for opportunities to create level platforms for sitting and outdoor dining. The solution was to create a high retaining wall – constructed in front of an existing one and dressed with local slate, dividing two distinct routes to the house. A direct route from the lower level and a second which goes through the garden connecting the spaces and which includes some bespoke CorTen steel steps and steel faced retaining walls.

The materials palette was simple using just granite, slate and render in various forms. The metal and nautical details reference the sailing activity on the river and the industrial nature of historic shipping in the area. Planting is soft and textural to balance the composition. A mature hornbeam hedge was installed along the roadside to contain the garden and provide instant privacy.