Walled garden.
This enclosed courtyard garden was surrounded by high stone buildings and lacked identity, light and visual interest. The brief was to transform it into a calm oasis within a dense urban setting — somewhere to pause, sit and escape the surrounding architecture.
Careful spatial planning, subtle changes in level and a restrained planting palette were used to create atmosphere, movement and year-round interest within a compact footprint.
DESIGN APPROACH
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The courtyard’s greatest challenge was its enclosure. High surrounding walls and limited access risked creating a static, inward-looking space. Rather than fighting this, the design embraced the intimacy of the courtyard and focused on introducing depth, movement and visual rhythm.
The garden was laid out on a diagonal axis to break the rigid geometry of the surrounding buildings. This shift creates longer sightlines, softer circulation routes and a sense of expansion beyond the courtyard’s actual dimensions..
CONSTRUCTION & CRAFT
Access to the site was extremely restricted, with all materials required to pass through a narrow stone archway. As a result, demolition, excavation and material handling were carried out entirely by hand, requiring careful planning and sequencing of works.
Two seating areas were created on different levels to add height variation and allow the garden to be experienced from multiple viewpoints. A small water feature was introduced as a focal point, fed by an overflowing copper bowl that provides gentle sound and movement without dominating the space.
Ornamental trees introduce vertical structure, while a layered mix of shrubs, perennials and grasses softens the stonework and ensures seasonal change throughout the year..
OUTCOME
The completed courtyard now feels private, calm and immersive. Despite its urban setting, the garden offers a strong sense of retreat, with planting, water and carefully considered levels working together to create depth and atmosphere.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful design, material restraint and craftsmanship can transform even the most constrained spaces into places of lasting character and enjoyment.
If you’re considering a courtyard or urban garden that needs careful design and hands-on construction, we’d be happy to discuss your project.