Native Grassland

This garden explores the textural possibilities of an interwoven meadow of native flowers, grasses, and flaxes. Bridging the space between the original turn-of-the-century villa and a new garden pavilion, this back garden is designed to be a lush and tranquil oasis, in contrast to the more traditional garden at the front - a hidden sanctuary to discover.

The design includes stone paving, which helps to ground the new building, with thoughtfully considered corners in the paved area and cut outs in the deck to provide immersive areas to dwell within the garden.

Woven into this tapestry of planting are small specimens which will emerge over time to gradually change the mood of the garden. This includes shrubby kōwhai, nīkau, and makamaka, so that long-term, this meadow will evolve into a native forest garden.

From within the new pavilion, the views out are conceived as three separate experiences: the meadow on one side, a sleek outdoor kitchen at the other end, and a dappled shade garden of mānatu and ferns down the side.