Peter Ward Garden Design

The space is a typical back yard to the rear of a terraced house in Northwich. The space was surrounded by an even height brick wall and had butt jointed 400×400 concrete paving slabs were laid throughout. There was no planting present; the only other feature was an out-building attached to the property, which was derelict.

Even with a limited budget the space was easily brought up to date. All the walls are to be re-pointed then rendered off-white, not only to make the space seem larger but also to ‘tidy up’ the area visually helping it feel more like a single space.

The paving is to be retained, cleaned and relayed as stated on drawing: PD/01. This more modern paving pattern will make more visual sense, and help with movement through the space. From an environmental/sustainable design point of view, nothing is to be taken away from the site and any material already there will be re-used. The space is to be left relatively open, although there is to be three distinct level changes.

In such a small space i felt it was best to keep things simple. When viewed from most any point you can see most of the garden, i didn’t want to send the visitor ‘on a journey’. Attempting to do this in such a garden would waste time and space.

Planting is to be fairly modern as the house is situated in a town and is in an obvious man made environment. It is to be a mix of perennials and grasses, some under-planted beneath three specimen trees. All the planting will be planted in rendered brick planters to match the walls. For planting information see drawing: PP/01

The top terrace will have a semi circular wall in contrast to the straight lines of the rest of the garden. This ’sun trap’ will have a small low table, and seating for four. A canvas awning will be attached to the wall and a central post to provide some protection when needed. Other similar seating is apparent around the garden. The previously derelict out-building is to be turned into an outside kitchen for when entertaining in the garden. There is also a small cooking area outside with a barbecue