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Before & After: From Chaotic Courtyard to Lockdown Oasis
Step into a multi award-winning Sydney courtyard for a couple who love Aussie Rules – but not gardening
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms and spaces.
The terrace before works.
What was this alfresco area like originally?
An overgrown and poorly maintained split-level courtyard with dated and deteriorating finishes.
What was your brief?
The client wanted a low-maintenance space, conducive for year-round entertaining. It also had to be cat-friendly.
What was this alfresco area like originally?
An overgrown and poorly maintained split-level courtyard with dated and deteriorating finishes.
What was your brief?
The client wanted a low-maintenance space, conducive for year-round entertaining. It also had to be cat-friendly.
The courtyard plan.
What was your starting point for the new design?
Usability – seeing the space’s potential and the desire to bring the client out into the garden. There is nothing more exciting to us than a tired, sorry garden.
Ready to redo your outdoor area? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz
What was your starting point for the new design?
Usability – seeing the space’s potential and the desire to bring the client out into the garden. There is nothing more exciting to us than a tired, sorry garden.
Ready to redo your outdoor area? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz
How did the client want to use the space?
As an informal area for relaxing, both in the sun and under shade, which flowed seamlessly from their indoor dining space.
The client had previously not used this space as it was cluttered and not pleasant to spend time in. In their words, after the project was completed, it became their ‘lockdown oasis’.
As an informal area for relaxing, both in the sun and under shade, which flowed seamlessly from their indoor dining space.
The client had previously not used this space as it was cluttered and not pleasant to spend time in. In their words, after the project was completed, it became their ‘lockdown oasis’.
What is the orientation?
The courtyard is orientated lengthways east to west. The sun sets over the house and, as a result, the upper terrace receives afternoon sun, while the lower terrace and dining table is shaded in the afternoon.
The white brick wall is south-facing and throws shadow over the courtyard. The barbecue area is north-facing and receives full sun.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian gardens featuring decking
The courtyard is orientated lengthways east to west. The sun sets over the house and, as a result, the upper terrace receives afternoon sun, while the lower terrace and dining table is shaded in the afternoon.
The white brick wall is south-facing and throws shadow over the courtyard. The barbecue area is north-facing and receives full sun.
Browse more images of contemporary Australian gardens featuring decking
How did the garden’s orientation affect your planting choices?
Succulents and hardy agave were used in the sunny parts of the upper terrace and in the hanging gardens. Advanced pinus was used to provide shade.
We used topiary buxus and mondo grass in the more shaded locations under the south-facing brick wall.
Succulents and hardy agave were used in the sunny parts of the upper terrace and in the hanging gardens. Advanced pinus was used to provide shade.
We used topiary buxus and mondo grass in the more shaded locations under the south-facing brick wall.
Was privacy an issue?
There was an existing bamboo screen in the property behind, which screened the two homes, but the neighbours removed this – which actually results in great morning light.
It appears in the images that the house behind has views into the courtyard, but it doesn’t really cause an issues. The brick wall and timber screening provide good privacy from the neighbouring properties.
There was an existing bamboo screen in the property behind, which screened the two homes, but the neighbours removed this – which actually results in great morning light.
It appears in the images that the house behind has views into the courtyard, but it doesn’t really cause an issues. The brick wall and timber screening provide good privacy from the neighbouring properties.
What are the main plants used?
Succulents contrasted by the sculptural form of topiary buxus and Japanese black pine. Not avid gardeners, the client wanted a reasonably low-maintenance planting palette.
Succulents contrasted by the sculptural form of topiary buxus and Japanese black pine. Not avid gardeners, the client wanted a reasonably low-maintenance planting palette.
- Japanese black pine in the built-in planter.
- Agave geminiflora in the three round pots.
- Madagascar jasmine climbers on the fence.
- Blue chalk sticks above the climbers.
- Zamia in the low white pot.
- String of pearls beside the barbecue.
- Cycad palm and lomandra seascape near the exterior doors.
Where did most of the budget go?
On construction of detailed elements such as off-form concrete, brickwork and carpentry, plus the difficult access (working through the house) drove up labour costs on all items.
On construction of detailed elements such as off-form concrete, brickwork and carpentry, plus the difficult access (working through the house) drove up labour costs on all items.
What was your thinking behind the layout?
The split-level layout of the courtyard was existing, so the design exploited this level change to include seating, an outdoor kitchen, lighting, shade structures, furniture, pots and plantings.
Simplicity was key. The courtyard is deliberately not overly designed or cluttered.
It is laid out for purpose and built with a simple and clean material palette – brick, concrete and timber.
The split-level layout of the courtyard was existing, so the design exploited this level change to include seating, an outdoor kitchen, lighting, shade structures, furniture, pots and plantings.
Simplicity was key. The courtyard is deliberately not overly designed or cluttered.
It is laid out for purpose and built with a simple and clean material palette – brick, concrete and timber.
Why did you add built-in planters?
The built-in planters were used to connect the off-form concrete and weave it through the courtyard. It frames the stairs and eventually forms the rear seating. The raised planter allowed us to create the depth needed to support and elevate the Japanese black pine.
The built-in planters were used to connect the off-form concrete and weave it through the courtyard. It frames the stairs and eventually forms the rear seating. The raised planter allowed us to create the depth needed to support and elevate the Japanese black pine.
Tell us about the built-in barbecue
Again, this is a continuation of the concrete element that weaves through the garden. I think this space shows how versatile concrete is as a building material when designed and built well. Our client is a big Sydney Swans fan and loved the idea of having people over for lunch before a game, so the barbecue was an essential part of the garden.
Again, this is a continuation of the concrete element that weaves through the garden. I think this space shows how versatile concrete is as a building material when designed and built well. Our client is a big Sydney Swans fan and loved the idea of having people over for lunch before a game, so the barbecue was an essential part of the garden.
What are the main elements of the new colour palette?
A pared-back palette of grey and white masonry with warm timber and green plantings provided a softness.
And the materials palette?
A simple palette of contrasting materials: concrete, timber and white bricks.
A pared-back palette of grey and white masonry with warm timber and green plantings provided a softness.
And the materials palette?
A simple palette of contrasting materials: concrete, timber and white bricks.
Materials palette
- ModWood composite timber Silver gum decking.
- Bowral 50 Chillingham White brick pavers.
- IronAsh timber batten fence with Bowral 76 Chillingham Chillingham bricks for the wall.
- Gardens at Night wall lights.
- Three big planters custom-designed by Outdoor Establishments and hand-thrown by potter Cameron Williams.
- Cosh Living outdoor dining setting.
- Eco Outdoor coffee table.
- Robert Plumb timber stools.
- Bench seat cushion custom-designed by Outdoor Establishments and made by Inform Upholstery Melbourne.
What challenges did you face?
Creating multiple zones in the landscape without closing it off and making it appear even smaller was one challenge. It was also essential to keep the space open and flowing. A bold and free-flowing plan emerged on-site that connected each of the spaces together.
Existing site levels were exploited and modified slightly to create a split-level landscape. This informed the idea of upper and lower entertaining zones with integrated seating.
Creating multiple zones in the landscape without closing it off and making it appear even smaller was one challenge. It was also essential to keep the space open and flowing. A bold and free-flowing plan emerged on-site that connected each of the spaces together.
Existing site levels were exploited and modified slightly to create a split-level landscape. This informed the idea of upper and lower entertaining zones with integrated seating.
Why do you think it works so well now?
Every section of this space has been considered from both a functional perspective and through the inclusion of beautiful finishes.
The space is now uncluttered and flows nicely from indoors to out. It is inviting and relaxing, and it gives the client a place to read quietly alone or entertain friends. It is now fit for purpose.
I also think people enjoy the use of classic construction materials in contemporary applications, executed to a high detail.
Every section of this space has been considered from both a functional perspective and through the inclusion of beautiful finishes.
The space is now uncluttered and flows nicely from indoors to out. It is inviting and relaxing, and it gives the client a place to read quietly alone or entertain friends. It is now fit for purpose.
I also think people enjoy the use of classic construction materials in contemporary applications, executed to a high detail.
What awards has this courtyard garden won?
- The Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM) National Landscape Design Awards 2021: Landscape Design of the Year Finalist.
- AILDM National Landscape Design Awards 2021: Gold Award for Residential Design Small Scale.
- The Landscape Association (TLA) Excellence Awards 2021: Gold Award in the Residential Construction $150,000 to $350,000 category.
- TLA Excellence Awards 2021: Gold in Residential Design under 80 Square Metres category.
Your turn
What ideas have you picked up from this beautiful courtyard? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story and join the conversation.
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Who lives here: A couple
Location: Queens Park, NSW
Room purpose and size: A rear courtyard garden measuring around 50 square metres