international

Garden designer David Andrews finds a wealth of opportunity and some shining stars among Sydneys city rooftop and apartment gardens
Words and photos David Andrews

Gardens in the sky

Above: The entertainment level in Secret Gardens of Sydneys penthouse development From far left: The penthouse apartment garden viewed from afar; colourful furnishings for Atlantis Designs seating; ergonomic seating in Green Rooms storehouse apartment garden

www.sgd.org.ukGARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL

21

international

With an average of 300 sunny days every year, the climate in Sydney lends itself to outdoor entertaining, cooking, relaxing, growing crops and creating an outdoor playground. The garden is prized as an extra room and this conception has come to dictate its appearance. Many gardens still conform to a standard structure comprised of a cooking area, seating zone and patch of grass on which to play. The emphasis is often on the hard landscaping with little thought going into the planting or conceptual stages where themes might emerge. The garden design industry in Sydney is still in its infancy and the benefits of hiring a designer through the design and build stages has not yet been fully recognised by the consumer. The process is still running parallel in peoples minds to that of fitting a bathroom. You select the components, and then you hire someone else to come and install. Due to this thought process and low expectation, a number of inexperienced landscapers have set up construction companies to offer a below par service. However, there are also a number of designers who are breaking this trend and are creating stimulating outdoor rooms that not only connect with the house but urge exploration the rooms have been dissected, broken down into smaller areas that offer variety and quality design. These few shine out from the crowd by offering a complete and experienced service that addresses design in a professional manner. And with a booming market that has continually grown over the past 15 years, there is a wealth of opportunity for the taking.
22 GARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL www.sgd.org.uK

international

City penthouse apartment, Sydney city centre 220m2 Budget: AU$ 450,000 Designer Secret Gardens of Sydney Matt Cantwell 1 Gilderthorpe Ave, Randwick NSW 2031 www.secretgardens.com.au Brief: To create a top level for entertaining and a lower level where the client can relax with uninterrupted views. There is no connection between the two levels so a staircase is needed. The clients expressed a desire for a green, lush view with areas to sit and watch the harbour fireworks, and it had to be low maintenance. Solution: The use of water with crossing bridges and plenty of planting helps to create a relaxed atmosphere on the lower level, which is juxtaposed with the garden at 100m above ground level. An intricate, powder-coated, steel spiral staircase connects the garden with the upper level, which features a spa, entertainment area and extensive barbecue facilities, all creating the ideal party environment and space to watch harbour fireworks at night. The design was, at times, driven by the limitations of building regulations and load bearings and everything was delivered in pieces and then constructed on the site. The overhead sun is extremely powerful in this open location, so drip irrigation was installed to reduce the need to water by hand. Because the site is also windy, plants have to survive in only 250mm of soil. Plants selected to suit these conditions include Podocarpus elatus, Zoysia tenuifolia, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Dracaena draco, Yucca elephantipes, Dietes bicolor, Lomandra longifolia Tanika (= Lm300), Juniperus sp., and Acacia Limelight. These were also preferred for their compact nature: low-forming plants are sheltered from the wind by the balustrade and the views are not obstructed by unkempt growth. Blackbutt eucalyptus was selected as the decking for its hardwood qualities, and a 10mm glass balustrade was installed to maintain the views.
23

Top: A birds-eye view of this garden, showing how separate levels have been clearly defined for different purposes Clockwise from left: A balustrade shelters plants and also is seethrough so it doesnt spoil the view; plants are chosen for their resistance to fierce sunlight and ability to survive in just a few centimetres of soil

www.sgd.org.ukGARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL

international

Converted warehouse rooftop garden, central Sydney 32m2 Budget: AU$ 57,000 Designer Atlantis Design Mark Harper 13 Albert Street, Newtown, NSW 2042 www.atlantisdesign.com.au Brief: To create a relaxed haven that can also be used in the evenings as a funky, entertaining space. To maintain the views to the city centre yet keep the feeling of self-containment. Also, to install an outdoor cinema with projector and a minibar so that people can stay on the roof for prolonged periods. There is a need to cover the piping on show, and the clients wanted to soften the edges of the space with planting, although keep an overall contemporary feel. The lower outdoor terrace was to become the dining room, and both areas needed awning protection from the sun. Solution: The lower terrace is dominated by the dining table and chairs, leaving little room for anything else. The wall adjacent to the living room was painted black to avoid the reflection of glaring light inside, and to allow excellent shadow projection from the plants grown in containers above. Light is reflected off the white walls to the sides, while a graffiti design maintains the industrial and arty theme of the area. A large awning provides welcome shade. On the roof garden, a pre-cast concrete water fountain has been installed to cover the exposed pipework. LED lighting behind the seating helps to create a relaxed ambience in the evening and complements the colourful and removable seating covers. The island seating is fixed to lockable wheels and, when connected to the exterior seating, it creates an outdoor bed from which people can watch movies on the projector screen. Planting was restricted to large galvanised steel planters that can be moved to increase privacy or allow for unhindered views. Favoured species include Agave attenuata, Nerium oleander, Echeveria sp. and Plumeria rubra f. acutifolia, which can all withstand the harsh overhead sun and lack of water. A minibar with storage was installed, complete with a Moroccandesigned fascia backed with orange vinyl. This was backlit to provide some extra lighting in the evening.
24 GARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL

Clockwise from top: The funky outdoor entertainment area, where visitors can snuggle down late into the night for cinematic treats; the sheltered dining area; playful wall art; galvanised planters can be moved around the decking to increase privacy or reveal a special view

www.sgd.org.uK

international

Converted storehouse apartment garden, central Sydney 66m2 Budget: AU$ 35,000 Designer Green Rooms Adam Robinson 3-7 Danks Street, Waterloo NSW 2017 www.greenrooms.com.au Brief: To create an area that will encourage people to go outside and enjoy the surroundings somewhere to unwind and socialise. There was also the need for a dining area with lighting so that it can be used in the evening. Storage was also important, as the owners are a couple with a newborn child and space is limited in the apartment. Solution: The theme of this garden was taken straight from the contemporary industrial feel of the architecture and is evident in the colour palette of white, taupe and silver, with a splash of orange to inject some colour. It was essential to add privacy by screening the view into the neighbouring house using plants that could be grown in containers. Selected species that would add height included Olea europaea and Bambusa lako. Also used in the design for their tolerance of sun and dry conditions were Phormium Platts Black, Lomandra longifolia Tanika (= Lm300), Crassula ovata and Beaucarnea recurvata. A galvanised steel pergola creates the sense of a ceiling to the garden, along with a feeling of seclusion and comfort; it also casts architectural shadows that heighten the industrial feel. The steel sits perfectly alongside the timber decking and adds warmth to the design. The decking on the floorscape seamlessly flows into the ergonomic armchair bench, which is adorned with colourful cushioning and nestled among oversized planters. The dining table is situated towards the end, where there is a perfect balance between outdoor room and garden. The storage facility is well hidden behind sliding doors, and faced in a similar style to the apartment exterior.
25

Clockwise from top: Screens aid privacy while a steel pergola and taupe woodwork combine to create warmth; a splash of orange injects vivid life into the colour palette; an ergonomic bench seat invites dedicated loungers

www.sgd.org.ukGARDEN DESIGN JOURNAL