CASE STUDY
Landscaping projects in Cambridge
Sunken Patio – Landscaping Cambridge
Our client’s new build property required a complete design for the rear garden, sunken patio installation, plus some improvements to the front. Starting with a blank canvas our designer was asked for a smart, modern, family garden with entertainment space and room for children’s play equipment, together with some screening from the neighbouring properties to encourage use of the outdoor space by all the family.
The plot was mainly laid to lawn and very uneven and the levels and drainage had to be addressed first together with the safe removal of the waste soil. Our expert designer together with our client, cleverly designed the garden to make the most of the space available and make this suitable for all the family.
Our landscaping team excavated the area, and large amounts of soil were removed from the site to correct the levels and form a sunken patio seating area. The foundations and drainage were then laid ready for the steps to the patio area, the sunken patio, and retaining wall planters at the rear and the sides. The blockwork retaining walls were built on concrete bases and treated with damp proofing and then backfilled behind the walls ready for planting. The blockwork was clad with stone for an attractive decorative finish.
The play area cleverly uses the space behind the garage and was edged with timber sleepers. A Geo-textile membrane was laid to prevent weed growth and play bark was spread and levelled ready for the children’s play equipment.
Porcelain paving tiles have been used, for the path, steps, and patio area, complete with contrasting darker edging setts and pointed with exterior grout. These give a smart, attractive path down the garden to the sunken seating area. The patio has raised beds for planting down one side and at the entrance and this provides a very modern and beautiful alfresco dining area. The different levels of the garden draw the eye to the sunken area making it the focal point and somewhere to just relax or entertain whilst the children play safely nearby.
Cambridge Project: Sunken Patio
To disguise one of the brick, garage walls, screening was erected of battens clad with timber to transform this area, and also around the bin storage area to conceal these. Planting in front of the screening includes climbing roses which will give a lovely splash of colour and fragrance in the summer months.
The remaining raised beds will be planted with sculptured bushes and summer bedding to complete the elegant, modern look and provide colour during the summer months with the evergreens providing interest all year round. Turf has been laid on the remaining area of the garden, with metal EverEdging installed to define flower beds and the gravel area.
Planting
Young trees were planted at the rear of the garden in the raised beds and behind the garage to help prevent overlooking and provide more privacy and laurel bushes and evergreens were planted along the rear, breaking up the effect of a long wooden fence.
The lounge patio doors open out on to the garden and path to the seating area and this is the main view from the room giving the garden an inviting and welcoming feel.
To complete the transformation of this new property and give a stunning first impression, a new front path was laid, again with porcelain paving and complete with contrasting edging setts.
This complete makeover of a modern outdoor space combines functionality with style and elegance and is ideal for a young family including pets!
Emerald Landscapes are experts in the field of Landscaping, get in touch today to find out more on how we can rejuvenate your garden.
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