A formal yet relaxed garden and outdoor room offer a superb connection to the surrounding bushland and also meet bushfire-zone building requirements
When it comes to natural Australian beauty, it’s difficult to surpass the world-renowned Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. “Borrowing from this amazing landscape was a pleasure,” says designer Steve Warner of OUTHOUSE design, who created this garden and outdoor room in Blaxland, a charming town in the lower Blue Mountains.
But with this beautiful location came challenges. “A vital component of the design process was following the =QUOTE=strict set guidelines when designing within a bushfire-prone area,” says Steve.
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The client purchased their land as a clear block. It was originally part of a larger parcel of land and, quite surprisingly, was a private light aircraft runway. Home designer Daniel Briffa from Adan Creative Design describes the home built on this land as modern contemporary. With that in mind, it was important to balance the external and internal spaces and create strong, clean vistas from each internal room and connect with the external landscape.
The garden acts as an extension of the home — it’s formal, yet relaxed and low maintenance. It takes advantage of the natural grade changes to offer a number of outdoor rooms while providing a strong connection across the site. “The landscape level change is embraced by both the building and soft landscape, and every room delivers a visual connection to the borrowed landscape,” says Steve.
The external areas are subtly divided into rooms, with the expanse of lawn acting as a seamless connection. “The entrance is more formal, with strong visual planting lines directing guests to the front entrance, whereas the open aspect facing the bushland views lends itself well to the pool zone and family cabana area,” continues Steve.
“The swimming pool cabana acts very much as separate accommodation for weekend drop-ins by extended family and friends and also as an extension to the pool area for those lazy, sunny Sunday afternoons with a gin and tonic. I love the lower pool zone and the way that the landscape levels draw your eye to the natural landscape.”
Planting was selected for its low-maintenance value and native qualities, which meant no ongoing water support. A drip irrigation system was installed to establish the planting and if required in the future. To the rear of the property, production areas were created that are supported by the use of water captured from the property’s roof.
“The key focus for us is a sustainable landscape so, when possible, native planting was used,” says Steve. Key trees planted include Elaeocarpus reticulatus ‘Prima Donna’, for its hardy, pink flowering and connection with the bushland, as well as Syzygium australe. For hedge planting, Acmena smithii features for a strong, low-maintenance hedge, as does Buxus microphylla. For shrubs, Anigozanthos ‘Amber Velvet’, Agave attenuata, Lomandra longifolia and Dianella caerulea were planted. OUTHOUSE design also incorporated Themeda australis, Kennedia prostrata and Scaevola hookeri for grass planting and groundcovers.
“The landscape offers the benefit of low-maintenance planting, yet delivers strong architectural form with the mass flowering of the red Anigozanthos and Agave attenuata,” says Steve.
All retaining walls are masonry with a smooth render finish. “The retaining walls complement the home while not impeding the views,” explains Steve. Stencil-coloured concrete features were included on the driveway and main entrance pathway, while large-format paving was employed for the lower garden terrace and pool surround.
“It’s a stunning home in an amazing location and is a great case of less-is-more design,” says Steve. “It’s a unique example of when a designer works in a collaborative manner with client and architect. We designed the garden on site rather than behind the drawing desk and became hands-on with the client in all aspects, from the plant ordering, on-site install and ongoing relationship with the space. With our client being very hands-on and taking on the majority of the project management, it was a pleasure to work in collaboration with both parties.”
Design and construction by OUTHOUSE design
For more information
outhousedesign.com.au
Home design by Daniel Briffa, Adan Creative Design
For more information
adandesigns.com
Originally from Outdoor Rooms magazine, Volume 30