Clients: Moortown, Leeds | Private residential
Design: MCGS
The brief
The clients wanted to better connect the house visually and ecologically with the nearby boundary woodland edge, in particular from the rear windows of the property and the hard landscaped seating areas. It would place a strong focus on enhancing the local wildlife population, increasing ‘wildlife visitors’ such as hedgehogs and squirrels, and include a water feature. As far as possible it should re-use materials from the current site where complementary to the new design concept, including for example the circular ‘bird bath’, paving, and established planting.
The Design
Using the concept of ‘borrowed scenery’ (shakkei (jp.)) the woods were brought closer to the house through re-shaped beds and rich wildlife friendly planting and connecting the new ‘wildlife corridor’ with the rear of the property and two seating areas. A pond and small fountain was added to create additional wildlife interest and an attractive feature for the eyes and ears. Access to the shed and patio within the lawn was levelled and improved to allow an immersive experience within the planting. A set of woodland stepping stones leads down towards the woodland fence boundary given a sense that the garden is an extension of the woods and provide flow throughout the site. Pavers were re-used and existing shrubs and trees re-located. A bug hotel was added towards the boundary to provide a bridge for insect and bird communities between the gardens and woods.
Constructors: DWR Landscapes Ltd
Pond feature: Yorkshire Aquascapes
Status: Complete
A new waterfall and pond with seating area, creating a natural corridor between the house and the woodland beyond.
The sweeping lawn retained and reshaped, adding a 'grassland' between beds and providing a light and open feel between the heavier structures of the house and larger woodland trees.
Daring to bring the wildlife and planting right up to the landscaped areas to create a strong connection with the woodlands beyond, whilst maintaining the practicalities of outdoor living and dining beyond the patio doors.
A tranquil and spiritual space for the clients, and a new valuable water source for insects, birds and other animals.
Moortown, 'before': thin planting and scrubby lawn, following construction on the rear of the property. Little connection between the garden and its desirable position on the edge of a woodland