The Site:

A series of wedge-shaped areas surrounding an extended 90’s executive home. The property lies on the edge of the floodplain of the river Cam, and the garden has at times been submerged beneath two feet of muddy water. The floor of the house is raised a metre above the garden, and the extension has a verandah cantilevered over the garden, with attractive views across the shared ‘common land’ to the river. The house feels ‘boxed in’ by it’s neighbours, and the site is shaded by a vast London Plane tree as well as a neighbouring Oak.

The Brief:

•  To preserve the view through the common land to the river from the entrance to the garden.
•  Block views from house over neighbouring gardens.
•  Keep the area in front of the decked verandah simple, to emphasise the continuity of space between the common land and the garden.

Practical Considerations:

•  Plant large specimens into containers to avoid damage to tree roots and excessive competition for water and nutrients.
•  Provide an automatic watering system to ensure consistent growth.
•  Consider special fixing techniques to hold fittings in place even when under water