This family garden was completely open, with the kids’ play area integrated with the dining /entertaining area. Part of the brief was to create a defined area for family meals at the large table outside.
Our initial concept was to achieve this simply by hanging celebratory festoon lighting over the dining area. Our Italian client suggested bridging over the structure to create a pergola where vines cross the space overhead. The dynamic insect shape of the structure grew out of the design for the screens created to hide the children’s table tennis and weight lifting area. A sequence of goalposts are linked by a central spine, crafted in sustainable Welsh green oak and tied together with tensioned stainless steel wire, in a dramatic contrast of heavy and light. The posts are perched on top of steel pins to protect them from being submerged in the wet soil, and the tensioned cables hold everything in place while providing growing space for the vines.
Corten planters were chosen to withstand the rigours of the children’s ball games. Espaliered apple trees grace each side of the screens and are underplanted with liriope and heuchera. Graceful Italian cypress trees define the corners of the dining area as well as those of the lawn area, helping to tie everything together. Three types of vine chosen for their flavour in the British climate are planted on either side of the structure and will provide three colours of grape and contrasting autumn leaf shades. The planting to the rear is limited to white flowering plants.
The pavillion defines the dining area by surrounding it with festoon lighting and will hosts three types of grapevine growing across the structure. Italian cypress trees help to define the space adding a dramatic vertical element whcih is reflected in the trampoline screen.
The on/off screens at the end of the pavilion screen the children’s table tennis and gym area.
Corten planters of various size create a visual screen between the trampoline area and the lawn, reflecting the corten planters in the dining area. Italian cypress trees are used to define the corners of each area.
Festoon lighting gives a celebratory feel to the dining area while spotlights on the Italian cypress trees add to the drama.
The height of the pavilion reflects the height of the interior rooms adjacent, making it feel like another room. Espaliered apple trees are being trained up the left and right screens softening the view.
On/off screens from the table tennis area protect the view while allowing some degree of light to penetrate through. Tensioned stainless steel cables hold the structure solidly while the spiked feet protect the timber posts from rotting while allowing the heavy structure to hover above the ground
The new structure defines the dining area and gives structure to the garden