We were honoured to be involved in designing a garden for The Design Files Open House in 2017, a hugely collaborative event that explores some of Australia’s richest talent through design and art. Our primary aim was to create a natural environment in an urban setting and demonstrate how it can create a sanctuary of sensory relief for the whole family.

Designed to play with the senses by featuring plant life that mimics the wild Australian landscape. An emphasis on sustainability through low water use, natural and recycled Australian materials and a plant palette that will grow to become stronger together to fight against pests and diseases.

Visitors are instinctively drawn to walk through the garden, with rolling hills leading the eye and colour and texture lighting up the way. A modern artful twist is provided by collaborator Den Holm who has sculpted his signature limestone into the banks to create seating and retaining elements for the natural urban setting.

The use of Australian materials continues as we incorporate organic shapes into the recycled timber decks where visitors to the garden can sit and relax and children can explore, smell and touch within the living habitat. An environment brimming with Australian natives, exotic colour and texture, food to pick and eat, grasses for softness and even cacti and succulents to provide sculptural shapes within the natural environment.