The client used to refer to the existing space as a green desert: an unevenly-shaped lawn accessed by a dark and narrow concrete staircase, a gigantic wall, a run of derelict garages…

As the client lives on the first floor, it was key for the garden to be visually striking when seen from there. Introducing a lawn in the shape of an X makes for an interesting scheme all-year-round and enabled to create generous planting borders, which in time, will conceal the uneveness of the boundaries.

The real issue though was the wish for a sunny dining area: this meant looking straight into other houses. Introducing a focal point in the shape of a seating area and statue-like arbour on the opposite side of the lawn manages to anchor the gaze within the boundaries of the garden.