• The top terrace looking south.
    The top terrace looking south
  • A panoramic view of the upper terrace and lower garden before work began in summer 2009.
    A panoramic view of the upper terrace and lower garden before work began in summer 2009
  • The garden from below, before work began.
    The garden from below, before work began
  • The old paving has been lifted from the top terrace, the gap for the steps knocked out of the wall
    The old paving has been lifted from the top terrace, the gap for the steps knocked out of the wall, and concrete retaining installed in the lower garden
  • The top terrace paving being laid.
    The top terrace paving being laid
  • Lower garden paving with the square fountain pool constructed.
    Lower garden paving with the square fountain pool constructed
  • Looking down the steps to the lower garden, about to start work on the bottom area.
    Looking down the steps to the lower garden, about to start work on the bottom area
  • The garden nearly completed, about to finish the bed preparations.
    The garden nearly completed, about to finish the bed preparations
  • Detail of the steps and retaining wall.
    Detail of the steps and retaining wall
  • A close up of the steps and wall looking onto the circulation fountain pool.
    A close up of the steps and wall looking onto the circulation fountain pool
  • The top terrace looking south.
  • A panoramic view of the upper terrace and lower garden before work began in summer 2009.
  • The garden from below, before work began.
  • The old paving has been lifted from the top terrace, the gap for the steps knocked out of the wall
  • The top terrace paving being laid.
  • Lower garden paving with the square fountain pool constructed.
  • Looking down the steps to the lower garden, about to start work on the bottom area.
  • The garden nearly completed, about to finish the bed preparations.
  • Detail of the steps and retaining wall.
  • A close up of the steps and wall looking onto the circulation fountain pool.

A Modern Take on a Traditional English Garden in Hampstead

Existing- This project involved the design and landscaping of a difficult, triangular plot, which was a neglected part of the garden of a large, red brick house in a conservation area. Bordered on the south side by a mixed Yew and Privet hedge, the garden sloped steeply away from the house and the surrounding terrace.

Brief - The house had been the childhood home of one of the clients, a professional couple in their sixties, and the challenge was to interpret their ideas in such a way as to create a coherent design that succeeded in being both aesthetically pleasing and practical, as well as sensitive to the site. The garden had to work when viewed from the house and terrace above. It needed improved access and should include two fountains, a rose arbour, a lot of planting and a path to the gate onto the road below.

Solution - A strong, formal design was createded to blend in with the existing house and garden and the clients own tastes. The upper terrace paving stones, lifted and re-used in the lower garden, where replaced with new slabs incorporating a paved circular seating area and a large bed near the western boundary wall. The existing low retaining wall was enhanced with new reconstituted stone coping. New semi-circular steps were created in the middle of this wall and faced with custom made Haddonstone paving, with ball topped stone piers at either side. Stone urns were set at either end of the wall. The main garden was laid out on a formal grid with both circular and square fountain pools, the sound of splashing water masking traffic noise. A staggered path leads down red brick steps to the white, metal rose arbour, which serves as a focal point drawing the eye down the garden.

The width of the existing hedge was drastically reduced and generous planting beds were filled with new topsoil ready for planting by the client.

This is an example of a more traditional garden where classical elements were given a modern twist and where the workmanship had to be of the highest standard.

Designed by Jeremy Bevan,
Built in 2009
Budget approx £30000

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