Transforming a Steep, Inaccessible Site into a Functional Multi-Level Garden
This garden design project, part of a major house renovation, tackled a steep, overgrown block with significant drainage issues. Due to access constraints, the garden had to be built before any work on the house could commence.
What was once an inaccessible, overgrown slope has been transformed into a multi-level, functional garden. We created three comfortably accessible levels, each designed to handle stormwater efficiently. Capture basins at the top and bottom of the garden, supported by a dry creek bed along the bottom, effectively manage stormwater, allowing it to dissipate slowly.
To negotiate the steep terrain, we used split-face concrete block walls, concrete steps, and sandstone boulders, all softened by extensive planting. The plant palette features mostly native plants, providing a soft, natural look, with moisture-loving grasses in the wetter areas for added water absorption and erosion control.
The design also includes a productive vegetable garden, ensuring that the space is not only beautiful but also practical.
By the time the house renovation was completed, the garden was already well established, ready to be enjoyed by our clients. This project shows how good design can overcome challenging sites and create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces.
Back to Portfolio