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AUSTRALIA’S No.1 BEST SELLER
Trend settingWHAT’S IN, WHAT’S OUTWHEN LIVING OUTDOORS
Design definedAUSTRALIAN GARDEN DESIGN:
WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE?
20th Edition auh Edi i u
Al fresco entertainingFROM OUTDOOR TVS TOTHE LATEST BARBECUES
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WORTH OF SENTRELPOOL FENCING OR
DECK BALUSTRADES
Work of art
Of contemporary design, this garden displays an innovative approach to the use of space
DESIGNER LANDSCAPES
60 | OUTDOOR DESIGN & LIVING
OUTDOOR DESIGN & LIVING | 61
DESIGNER LANDSCAPES
A SWIRL OF STAINLESS STEEL DRAWS THE EYE UP
and over a sculpted swathe of lawn, establishing
an easy flow and a strong sense of connection
between the cosy environs of the outdoor room
nestled next to the house and the tennis court that
claims pride of place at the rear of the property.
The lustrous sculpture supplied by Sculptura,
however, is just one of several visual treats to be
savoured in this deceptively simple garden design by
Nathan Burkett Landscape Design and Construction.
Says Nathan Burkett, “The owners enjoy
entertaining, so we set out to make as much of
the garden as practical as possible. We kept the
rendered retaining walls to a comfortable sitting
height, avoided the use of steps where we could
and ensured the level changes were seamless.
“Given the price of real estate these days,
efficient and creative use of space throughout
a property often translates to dollars when the
property is passed on to a new owner. Appropriate
use of space should always be a key design
principle, but this does not mean that all space
should be trafficable or put to some practical use —
we need habitat for our own wellbeing. Balance is
the key.”
Achieving balance was critical to the success of
this design, in more ways than one. The existing
site was plagued with awkward level changes.
Another challenge was the eastern boundary of the
property, which was surrounded by a two-metre-
wide concrete footing and afforded virtually no
planting depth to screen the boundary fencing.
“My solution was to lift the beds up from
ground level and maintain the soft yet structured
characteristic of the site with solid curved walls
projecting out of the ground and returning back into
the ground,” explains Nathan. “The curved walls
became a key feature of the garden, drawing one’s
eye from the house and alfresco dining area up to
the level of the tennis court.”
Similarly, Nathan used the contours of the site to
project the pool out of the ground, allowing it to fit
seamlessly into the overall design.
From the granite paving to the merbau timber
decking supplied by Chippy’s Outdoor, the emphasis
was on high-quality materials. Choosing reputable
suppliers is essential to a successful outcome, which
is why Chippy’s Outdoor, a company that stocks
only the best-quality timber decking and screening
products, is one of Nathan’s preferred suppliers.
For ambience, there is a well-considered lighting
scheme, which includes subtle uplighting of trees.
To lend the garden a sense of subtle drama,
massed low-level plantings, including Arthropodium
‘White Knight’ and Liriope ‘Evergreen Giant’, create
a carpeting effect that follows the undulation of
the garden beds. Adding interest and pronounced
vertical elements, the pleached, white-trunked
Ficus hillii and the deciduous ornamental pear Pyrus
‘Capital’ stand like sculptures in the garden.
“My philosophy on design is simple,” says
Nathan. “You have to be able to live and breathe in
it and it has to be a part of who you are. With this
in mind, I approach each project with the primary
objective of interpreting the client’s needs and
integrating this within the space.”
From the earliest design stages to final
construction, Nathan remains in close personal
contact with clients and it is this commitment
that has helped Nathan Burkett Landscape Design
and Construction to forge an enviable reputation
for both design and construction. Nathan Burkett
Landscape Design and Construction also boasts
a close-knit team of hand-picked, highly skilled
professionals including qualified architects,
carpenters, builders, electricians, plumbers, lighting
consultants and pool specialists. Project detailsLandscape design and construction by Nathan Burkett Landscape Design and Construction Phone (03) 9015 7791 Mobile 0411 304 641 Email [email protected] Website www.nathanburkett.com.au Stainless-steel sculpture by Sculptura Phone (03) 9824 5555 Timber decking supplied by Chippy’s Outdoor Phone (03) 9879 4296 Pool construction by Mcnamara Phone (03) 9315 1123 Photography by Andrew Ashton
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DESIGNER LANDSCAPES
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