Take a Breath, Descend

Laps and splashes, take a breath.  Descend into waves of green textured clouds.  Sailors Bay throws glints of a setting sun, hints of a cool drink and evening show.

The brief

To design a landscape that responds to the new contemporary architectural proposal. The development perched on a very steep block overlooking Sailors Bay. A priority is to create useable space that's both aesthetic and functional: a garden arrival and a rear entertaining area. 

Site response

To encourage movement and meandering through the steep site, a set of stairs will lead to a descending garden path. Seating and green textured mounds sprout up along the border of the path, providing places for rest and reflection. A large lawn terrace spills from the pool. Secluded, with a waterfall backdrop, it will be the spot for sipping on cocktails and bathing in the pool or the bayside sun.

The site is situated in the ‘E4 Environmental Living Zone’, which means that the landscape “should be sensitive to site attributes such as land capability, micro-climate, flora and fauna, views and vista and existing landscape features.” Far from seeing this as a restriction, it's something we factor into every one of our projects.

Collaborators | Svalbe & Co Nick Bell Architects
Location | Northbridge, NSW 
Scope | Concept Design, Development Application
Year | 2019 - Present