Location: Christchurch, New Zealand.

Within one of Christchurch’s oldest suburbs, this garden reimagines what’s possible within a compact footprint. Developed in response to a sharply angled boundary along the street, the design faced a clear challenge: to ensure privacy and security without sacrificing the quality of outdoor living.

The planting is layered with deliberate contrast. Vertical green walls lend softness to the space, creating moments of intimacy and blurring the line between built form and planting. At ground level, a varied foliage from broad, reflective leaves to finer, more intricate forms produces a dynamic space. The tonal palette shifts subtly across the garden, with deep greens punctuated by lighter silvery hues and occasional dark, moody accents.

Upright floral elements introduce a sense of movement and lightness, catching the breeze and animating the space. In one corner, the dark-leafed foliage and tall white spires of a perennial provide a quiet counterpoint to the surrounding green.