Project
Sandstone Courtyard
Forrest, Canberra

Year
2021

Synopsis

The sound of the pond gently ushers G and M to sleep.  A relaxed, informal courtyard built to balance the high performance lifestyle of those dwelling here.

The atmosphere

Two steps down from their bedroom, this courtyard was designed to create a relaxing atmosphere for the clients to step outside and breathe, take phone calls & drink coffee in the morning. 

You can see a history of fossils as you walk the sandstone paving, interplanted with thyme which releases its fragrance when stepped upon. 

The pond hosts a variety of waterplants, fish & landing pads for bees to have a drink.

Biodiversity

The pond hosts a variety of waterplants, fish & landing pads for bees to have a drink.

Seasonal variation

The seasons vary this space —
More light filled in winter with the evergreen natives providing a constant green.

A gentle carpet of fallen cherry blossom petals, followed by flowering natives in spring.

A cooling retreat in summer — where the scorching sun does fall, the sandstone really comes alive.

Autumn: beautiful leaves fill the space to be decomposed and feed the soil. 

An overall view of this small Canberra courtyard is seen. A rendered and sandstone wall. A bespoke, luxurious fence made of recycled timber slats frames the space. A large established tree fills the background. Thyme was planed in the cracks between
A close up shot of the pond with native plants. Native reeds, buttercups and a floating fern cover the water.
A close up shot of the pond with native plants. A native buttercup and floating ferns cover the water. The floating fern provides habitat opportunities, allowing insects to drink water from the pond without falling in and drowning. Excellent for sust
Stairs made of railway sleepers and recycled hardwood from Thor's Hammer are shown. A large retaining wall made of rusting steel holds back flowering native flowers. Included are chrysocephalum apiculatum, kangaroo paws, rhodanthe anthemoides, a nati
A close up shot of coreten steel, with a sandstone paver that has a fossil embedded in it's surface. Small gravel or pebbles fill the gaps around the pavers.
A custom fabricated steel structure used to partially hide the hot water heat pump.
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Underwood Courtyard