Clipped hedging and Japanese Buxus cubes provide structure and rhythm, contrasting with the lush canopy of palms, bird of paradise, and Japanese maples – plus outdoor lounge.

Come down into the garden

This garden had to work beautifully at ground level while also providing allure from the home's first floor – dealing with a modest space, layers create height, movement, and a sense of generosity

Come down into the garden

This garden had to work beautifully at ground level while also providing allure from the home's first floor – dealing with a modest space, layers create height, movement, and a sense of generosity

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Designed by: Michael Mansvelt Design

Photography by: Gina fabish

Designed by

From the landscape designer:

For this project, the owners were determined to make the most of every square inch of their compact city site.

For their three-storey home, the garden had to work beautifully both from above and at ground level – looking so good from the upper living floor that it tempted you down to enjoy it in person.

The lower lounge opens directly onto the courtyard, and although this is infrequently used, the garden brings it to life, creating a calm and sheltered retreat that feels like a natural extension of the home.

Looking down on the outdoor dining setting.
The garden had to work beautifully from above as well as at ground level.

One of the more unusual challenges was that the garden actually sits on borrowed land, which meant permanent or heavy hard landscaping wasn’t an option.

We needed to be clever and cost-effective with materials, so we used loose aggregates and subtle transitions instead of fixed paving.

This approach helped maintain flexibility while giving the space texture, warmth, and a grounded feeling.

The garden offers a relaxing retreat, complete with outdoor dining / living and an immersive atmosphere.
The garden offers a relaxing retreat, complete with outdoor dining / living and an immersive atmosphere.

Clipped hedging and Japanese Buxus cubes provide structure and rhythm, contrasting with the lush, free-spirited canopy of palms, bird of paradise, and Japanese maples.

These layers create height, movement, and a sense of generosity – transforming a small footprint into an immersive oasis that feels private, green, and alive.

From above, the planting forms a living artwork, while at ground level it offers intimacy and atmosphere — proof that even the most constrained urban site can be reimagined into something extraordinary.

Lush plantings soften the home's crisp, clean-lined architecture – with feature cladding.
Lush plantings soften the home’s crisp, clean-lined architecture.

Credit List

House architect
Ian Pritchard
Landscape designer
Michael Mansvelt Design
Landscape contractor
Michael Mansvelt Design
Planting
Jungle Nursery

Designed by

From the landscape designer:

For this project, the owners were determined to make the most of every square inch of their compact city site.

For their three-storey home, the garden had to work beautifully both from above and at ground level – looking so good from the upper living floor that it tempted you down to enjoy it in person.

The lower lounge opens directly onto the courtyard, and although this is infrequently used, the garden brings it to life, creating a calm and sheltered retreat that feels like a natural extension of the home.

Looking down on the outdoor dining setting.
The garden had to work beautifully from above as well as at ground level.

One of the more unusual challenges was that the garden actually sits on borrowed land, which meant permanent or heavy hard landscaping wasn’t an option.

We needed to be clever and cost-effective with materials, so we used loose aggregates and subtle transitions instead of fixed paving.

This approach helped maintain flexibility while giving the space texture, warmth, and a grounded feeling.

The garden offers a relaxing retreat, complete with outdoor dining / living and an immersive atmosphere.
The garden offers a relaxing retreat, complete with outdoor dining / living and an immersive atmosphere.

Clipped hedging and Japanese Buxus cubes provide structure and rhythm, contrasting with the lush, free-spirited canopy of palms, bird of paradise, and Japanese maples.

These layers create height, movement, and a sense of generosity – transforming a small footprint into an immersive oasis that feels private, green, and alive.

From above, the planting forms a living artwork, while at ground level it offers intimacy and atmosphere — proof that even the most constrained urban site can be reimagined into something extraordinary.

Lush plantings soften the home's crisp, clean-lined architecture – with feature cladding.
Lush plantings soften the home’s crisp, clean-lined architecture.

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Credit List

House architect
Ian Pritchard
Landscape designer
Michael Mansvelt Design
Landscape contractor
Michael Mansvelt Design
Planting
Jungle Nursery

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