Award winning landscape design
In 2007, CALDESIGN was engaged to create a unified landscape across two adjoining blocks on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. With numerous established trees across the site, including several heritage-listed Oaks, protecting the existing landscape was central to the design.
The brief was to create a garden for the long term - one that could be enjoyed throughout the seasons, accommodate generous entertaining and feel equally at home within the character of the surrounding neighbourhood. The design balances structure and informality to create a sense of relaxed formality, while bringing the two properties together as one cohesive garden.
The project was recognised with an AILA NSW Award of Excellence and an AILA National Landscape Architecture Award in 2016, presented during the institute’s 50th anniversary year.
Jury comment
It's easy to become overwhelmed by a blank canvas and a client whose vision is only to create something welcoming. In such situations, the role of the landscape architect is to show restraint and carefully pull all of the desirable features into a cohesive whole. The garden of North Shore Estate in Sydney's northern suburbs achieves this. Using heritage-listed oak trees as a starting point, the design seeks to evoke a sense of relaxed formality that expresses balance and unity. At the same time, repurposing the old swimming pool allows for the capturing of precious rainwater, while various rooms in the garden provide diverse experiences. All this is beautifully executed with a careful selection of materials and plant species.
