There are many, many features incorporated into this family garden in North Manchester, making it a truly luxurious and action packed space for the clients and their family of young children.
The main ethos of this design by Robert Hughes was to create a useable and functional family space whilst again retaining a cool, contemporary aesthetic.
Of the many features designed with children in mind, we have a sunken trampoline, bespoke climbing wall, swing set and steel and timber constructed play-house.
The play house contained a mezzanine level within, which accessed the spiral slide through jungle-style planting.
Crittal style screens are a main feature of this garden, which as well as looking cool served a number of purposes. One screen was used to disguise a hidden shed storage area, the other was used to provide privacy from the neighbouring property and as a backdrop to the impressive drop-down outdoor projector screen.
When not in use this projector screen was concealed in the ceiling of the impressive architectural steel pavilion, clad in thermowood to soften the impact of the structure. Also incorporated in the roof was the lighting and speaker system which worked alongside the outdoor projector screen-perfect for gatherings to watch sports, entertain the kids and host garden parties that continue into the evening.
To address the level changes in the garden, a retaining wall was constructed and clad in large format tiling. Contrast was achieved by positioning a beautiful feature acer in front of this wall in a large feature pot. A floating composite bench wraps around the wall and seamlessly becomes a pathway leading to an uplit, large hand-made clay pot as a focal point.
A large artificial lawn is great for the children to play all year round and is flanked by a feature black polished mosaic pebble feature.
Hardwearing evergreen hedging was installed for privacy, and standard trees added height and movement, along with the year round interest provided by the bone white bark of the betula jacquemontii.
To the front of the property a resin bound driveway was installed, surrounded by block paved paths leading to porcelain steps.
A gravel area surrounds two raised beds constructed in corten steel edging, which contain lush planting giving year round interest.
The real show stopper is the bespoke corten steel feature wall, which adds contemporary architectural style to the front garden.
