Triple Treat

The three-level garden belonging to the dynamic duo behind My Food Bag is all about maximising fun for kids and adults

- Carol Bucknell

When you’re a high-powered entrepreneurial couple, quality leisure time is priceless. For Cecilia and James Robinson, co-founders of My Food Bag and Au Pair Link, this means spending time with their family and friends in a three-tiered marvel of a modern, family-focused garden.

But they haven’t always found their innercity Auckland patch so accommodating. When they first moved in, their outdoor spaces, though promising, were underdeveloped and the amount of time they could spend in them with their two young children, Thomas, 5, and Leila, 20 months, was limited. Enter Ben Shearer of Shearer Landscape Design with a purposeful design which has doubled the site’s social value, maximising the time the family spend outdoors.

THE SITE

The Robinsons’ renovated bungalow sits at the top of a sloping site and the outside space had been terraced into three levels when they bought it. There was an existing pool (but the fencing obstructed views through to the water) and a large, northwest-facing deck which lacked shade.

“The third tier was completely overgrown,” says Ben. “Access was challenging, too, as you could only get to the garden areas through the garage. As it is a sunny site, creating shade for play and socialising was important. And privacy was also an essential consideration.”

DESIGN BRIEF

The Robinsons wanted the various outdoor spaces in their garden to feel more purposeful, all year round, so they could enjoy more time outside with their friends and family. “We wanted a paradise for young kids. A place for them to explore, be imaginative – be kids. We also wanted something attractive and in keeping with the lush, largely native outlook. Lastly, we wanted something low maintenance to work with our busy lives.”