The built form is kept low to share views with the street. The Balmoral House is located within the lower north-shore suburb of Balmoral. The site presents many difficulties being wedged shaped, on the low side of the street, hemmed in by two substantial existing houses and with just half the land area of its neighbours. Where previously the site would have enjoyed the benefits of a sunny rear yard beyond the rear building alignment, this is no longer the case with the yard having been sold-off to the neighbours. Our design process has been about finding amenity where on first appearance there appears to be little. The design stems from the first key observation, that the view to Middle Harbour is better from the lower ground level due to the height of the canopy of a nearby angophora that impedes views from the first floor level. Placing the living areas on the lower ground level allowed us to exploit setback controls to build closer to the rear boundary where oblique views to the key local features of Balmoral Beach and Rocky Point Island are best. This strategy also provided the opportunity to extend these spaces into gardens and terraces to the limits of the site, maximising the sense of space of the 'living domain'. Every part of the site is utilised to create an array of connected interior and exterior spaces The planning then became about ordering these living volumes and garden spaces to maximise access to view and sunlight and to structure these to accommodate an array of social situations for our Client’s young family. At first floor level, the garage and bedrooms are composed in a linear block perpendicular to the street along the south-western to enable glimpses of district views from the street as a gesture to the public realm. Critical to the success of the house is the journey from the street down to the living areas and vice versa. A series of stairways break up the journey while the main glazed central stair is the centrepiece to the house as a light-filled piece of sculpture that hangs above a reflecting pond with pool beyond. The architecture works as a series of stacked interconnected volumes that carefully manoeuvre down the site, wrapping around to establish a secluded light-filled courtyard and terrace area on the north-eastern side. The expression is 'minimalist modern' to avoid visually complicating an already dense set of circumstances. Warm natural materials including off-form concrete, neutral bricks and blackbutt timber imbue the house with a calm quality whilst floor to ceiling glazing and large pivot and stacking doors create light-filled interiors, bringing the garden inside. In the end the design reverses the obvious strategy of an elevated living space with balcony facing the view. Rather, the outcome is a grounded compact family home sculpted around daylight, views to Balmoral and intertwined living and garden spaces that satisfy the social needs of a growing young family. Photo Credit: Katherine Lu

This paved garden has been give a contemporary feel with this simple slatted fencing which provides a neutral backdrop for entertaining guests and relaxing when the weather allows!

New paver driveway using the Orco Villa pavers in a random ashlar pattern. Color is tuscany.
Photo of a large contemporary front yard driveway in Orange County with concrete pavers.

Created a new approach to this Craftsman style home.The Golden Mean was my muse for this design. Very different for Tulsa Oklahoma. The concrete is a buff color with sea salt finish. Used chat and steel to contain the pebbles. Nancy Edwards/Designer

Moderner Garten "Erntereif" Beet im Vorgaren mit Edelpflaster und Bepflanzung von Hortensien und Gräsern. Eingangsbereich in Betonoptik und modernen Pflanzkübeln. Bad Vilbel, Wetteraukreis Projektjahr: 2015

Photo of a contemporary partial sun garden in Melbourne with decking.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary driveway in New York with concrete pavers.

Contemporary garden in San Diego.

A large contemporary terrace with L - shaped pond with stepping stones and decking, with a Chalice water feature by David Harber Sundials, stainless steel walkover lights, underwater lights

Inspiration for a contemporary garden in Phoenix.

Driveway Design Dublin - Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design mALCI 014060004 Amazonlandscaping.ie
Inspiration for a large contemporary front yard full sun driveway for summer in Dublin with a garden path, natural stone pavers and a stone fence.

Contemporary garden in London.

Designer: Adam Woodruff www.adamwoodruff.com Image: © 2014 Adam Woodruff + Associates All Rights Reserved
Contemporary garden in St Louis.

This is an example of a large contemporary backyard full sun xeriscape in San Francisco with a garden path and concrete pavers.

Shown in Cobalt Blue - We ship Complete Fountain Kits Nationwide to your home or business. *** Ceramic Bubblers include FREE LOCAL DELIVERY if you live in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, North Florida or the Panhandle. Includes colorful ceramic vase, invisible water basin, extra large polished river rocks, flow control valve to adjust the water pressure, and more.... visit: www.WaterGallery.net.

The back garden for an innovative property in Fulham Cemetery - the house featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs in January 2021. The design had to enhance the relationship with the bold, contemporary architecture and open up a dialogue with the wild green space beyond its boundaries. Seen here in summer, this lush space is an immersive journey through a woodland edge planting scheme.

Living Wall Design by Night at Bloom Show Garden in the National Pheonix Park Dublin by Amazon Landscaping and Garden Design 2010 Amazonlandscaping.ie 014060004

Photos: Tim Turner Photography. Copyright COS Design
Photo of a contemporary garden in Melbourne.

EarthscapesLLC
Inspiration for a contemporary garden in Salt Lake City.