A Garden in Need of Renewal
This terraced, town garden situated in Edgbaston, Birmingham, was asking for a complete re-design after building works extended into the garden area, leaving no structure or form.
The way forward incorporated practical accessibility with aesthetic appeal, constructing a series of ’tiers’ to break up the gradient. Using steel RSJ sections with reclaimed tropical hardwood (‘Jarrah’ ) sleepers, we constructed retaining walls to withstand the earth with a flight of steps running through to connect the second half of the garden. Wherever possible in our work, we aim to construct features that will last. Though these sleepers have a twenty year lifespan according to (railwaysleepers.com) we added a layer of pea gravel against the inside of the sleepers wrapped with membrane ensuring good drainage for extra longevity. These retaining walls also enabled us to create tiered flower beds for the client to enjoy year round interest whilst offering ‘rustic’ finishes and industrial edges.
From Sandstone Foundations to a Finished Garden
As you step out from the house onto the Indian Sandstone patio, evidence of the sandstone bedrock immediately stands out as previously it would have been hidden below ground. Where possible, we like to retain some of the natural features the existing landscape has to offer as long as it fits into the structure and form of the garden.
Making your way up to the second half of the garden from the Breedon gravel steps, repetition in the design is a tip of the trade we have learned, the path is bordered with steel edging and more plant beds that continue up to a terrace area using reclaimed pavers and more sleepers where the client can enjoy the last few hours of the day ‘alfresco’. Again, the materials incorporated here, reflect the character of the house and surrounding features.
Unfortunately, due to the quantity of sandstone we had to dig through, costs ran over budget we had to leave the planting arrangements we had planned on this project, it was disappointing not to finish with splashes of colour to soften the hard landscaping but the client would pick this up down the line.
The team battled the seasons through autumn and winter to completion in Spring 24’, we are very proud of the guys and results of this project which entailed a range of skills, from digging through layers of sandstone, working with British railway Sleepers, to Steel C Sections, there were many elements that required bringing together. Check out our social media to see the journey and the finished results!
