A Space For All Senses

Fragrant plantings add decadence to minimalism in this contemporary home

- Donnay Torr

The Nedlands residence in Perth’s Osborne Park revels in the natural light and views that its magnificent large-scale windows make possible... and therein lay the design challenge: create a contemporary green space that requires minimal maintenance, considers the views and functionality of the interior living spaces, and still provides shade from the harsh summer sun without affecting the natural light and views.

The result? Clean, uncluttered lines and compelling textures that invite bodies to rest in a minimalist setting, while the senses enjoy the metaphorical view.

“My key philosophy is to create exterior spaces that are equal parts beautiful, functional and sympathetic to the architecture, interiors and location,” explains Paul Smith, senior landscape designer at Tim Davies Landscaping.

On approach to the house, the eye is drawn by mounded mass plantings and a sloping hillock of turf, designed to soften the elevated facade of this modernist architectural home.

The grassy knoll might look effortless but it’s anything but, Paul explains.

“Natural undulations are often only seen in nature and not built landscapes. It might sound strange, but it’s often these natural forms that are the hardest to communicate and imbue with the effortless grace that nature so easily achieves.”

A beautiful feature tree fills a dark-steel planter, which runs adjacent to the existing letterbox and balances the visual dimensions of the space. This steel planter and an additional built-in seat incorporate the stand-alone letterbox into the overall design of the garden.