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Kingfisher House, Juniper Drive, Battersea Reach, London, SW18 1TXWe were approached as landscape architects and designers for the gardens of a magnificent new build mansion house in Winnington Road in the heart of the Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. They worked very closely with the client, the aim being to achieve an outstanding scheme that would reflect the incredible quality and detail of the house. The client loved the scheme and ultimately we were appointed to install the project they designed.
Client : Private
Architect & Interior Designer : Woolf Architects & Blush Design
Landscape Designer : Bartholomew Landscaping
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There were extremely complex and lengthy planning and logistical challenges. The brand new building designed by Wolff architects included an enormous basement with car parking and a swimming pool below the main terrace to the rear garden.
The plot was previously part of a much larger garden; therefore, our client had inherited mature trees that were originally suitable to the far-reaching views of a broader landscape. These oversized, diseased and rotted trees had been neglected for a great number of years and now proved unsuitable within a smaller domestic garden setting, as they were too close and impeded on the house. We commissioned the help and guidance of an arboricultural expert, who carried out tomogram surveys, identifying 70-90% rot through some of the trees. However Barnet Council still insisted on their retention and refused planning permission for the removal of Landscape conditions. Reluctantly we had to submit an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Overall planning permission followed, after what proved to be an extremely lengthy and arduous process that meant the client had instructed us to start building the garden.
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Michael Speller sculpture
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Neighbouring properties determined levels resulting in mass excavation of 1500 tonnes of earth over the site. The larger mature trees retained also dictated levels hence the introductions of beautiful undulating lawns that ensure the root protection zones were adhered to.
Terraces for entertaining were created along the various landing areas. A large formal level area of the lawn was also created close to the house spilling from the main entertaining terrace. A very striking rill of water was located centrally with the source emerging from the base of a Haddon stone feature temple, which also provided shade and alternative views looking over the garden back towards the house. The boundaries in immediate proximity to the large entertaining terrace were addressed for privacy by the planting of Pleached Hornbeam trees that created a screen of foliage on either side. The style of planting in the rest of the garden was of a woodland theme in accordance with one of the planning conditions. An outdoor kitchen was also installed with all facilities including hot and cold running water. A controllable lighting system was installed throughout the gardens to enhance the overall effect and create varying lighting moods. At night, lighting within the water-feature provides for a spectacular dancing display of colour across the different textured finishes and planting.
The front-drive was laid using a sawn and flame textured granite sett with Portland stone banding. Bespoke art deco themed stainless steel gates were commissioned. An Iroko refuse store was designed with a sedum roof.