Great garden design

Creating a serene outdoor space that complements a home was the driving force behind these gorgeous gardens

- REBECCA FOSTER

Waterside home

This contemporary Huf Haus sits on the bank of the river Thames, its garden enveloped by water on two sides. Making the most of the views was one of the main priorities for the house design, and the same can be said for the outdoor space, the design for which was developed by Nash Garden Design.

The house itself sits several feet above the garden on a raised plinth. Glazed doors open out onto the floating terrace, which is edged by a minimal glass balustrade to prevent the obstruction of views from inside the house. The extensive use of glass outside mirrors the design of the house itself. A selection of linear planting beds and shrubs encircle the house, softening it into the plot. A flat expanse of lawn stretches down to the water, where the owners have access to their own boat dock.

Design collaboration

ACG Architects masterminded the plan for this contemporary self-build home in Hampshire, working closely with Landform Consultants on the garden design. A key goal was to create a practical, user-friendly outdoor space, as one of the owners is a wheelchair user.

“We wanted to produce a layout that worked with and enhanced the architecture of the house while also providing a beautiful and accessible space,” says Catherine MacDonald, principal landscape designer at Landform Consultants.