Come down into the garden

Designed by Michael Mansvelt Design

From the landscape designer:

For this project, the owners were determined to make the most of every square inch of their compact city site.

For their three-storey home, the garden had to work beautifully both from above and at ground level – looking so good from the upper living floor that it tempted you down to enjoy it in person.

The lower lounge opens directly onto the courtyard, and although this is infrequently used, the garden brings it to life, creating a calm and sheltered retreat that feels like a natural extension of the home.

One of the more unusual challenges was that the garden actually sits on borrowed land, which meant permanent or heavy hard landscaping wasn’t an option. 

We needed to be clever and cost-effective with materials, so we used loose aggregates and subtle transitions instead of fixed paving.

This approach helped maintain flexibility while giving the space texture, warmth, and a grounded feeling.

Clipped hedging and Japanese Buxus cubes provide structure and rhythm, contrasting with the lush, free-spirited canopy of palms, bird of paradise, and Japanese maples.

These layers create height, movement, and a sense of generosity – transforming a small footprint into an immersive oasis that feels private, green, and alive.

From above, the planting forms a living artwork, while at ground level it offers intimacy and atmosphere — proof that even the most constrained urban site can be reimagined into something extraordinary.

Story by: Trendsideas