This garden is a collaboration with Todd Longstaffe-Gowan for a new house in the Chilterns by Mclean Quinlan Architects. In settling the house into its landscape the essential aim was to harvest a magnificent view over parkland. We cleared this view before the siting of the house was finalised, and then worked with construction spoil to remodel and grade the landscape up to the southern elevation, planting with native meadow species. The house is accessed down a long straight avenue leading to an enclosed, densely planted court with a pond at its centre. For the grand view one has to cross the pond and walk through the house, whereupon it opens up dramatically.
Photos Peter Cook, Leigh Simpson