Maximum feeling and use of space relies on carefully designed architectural structures. Style and longevity are defined by the quality and detail of construction. First stage groundworks involve construction of the shapes, contours and subdivisions of the garden and all sub-base works. Lighting, irrigation and drainage infrastructures need to be installed at this stage. Second stage groundworks are the installation of the top surface (decorative) materials. Decorative surface materials influence the style and geometry of the garden. Surface materials include different types of stone and brick, wood, water and metal.
Natural stone: Quarried and cut thin slices and shaped into rectangles and squares for paving, e.g.sandstone, limestone, slate and granite. It can be laid in various regular or random patterns. Irregular broken shapes can be matrixed together, e.g. crazy paving; smaller cubes of stone are cut (setts), e.g. granite, york and porphyry - and used for edging or cobbled effects.
Pebbles and boulders: Gathered from river beds and beaches are used for mosaic paving or other coloured, textured and patterned surfaces. Water-worn pieces are for decorative use.
Shingle and gravel: Rounded or course stones, sometimes crushed into even smaller sizes for spreading in even layers over a series of sub-bases for paving, path and drives make an elegant surface. Good for security because of the noise when moving across it. A flexible, inexpensive finish.
Hoggin: Screened or sifted gravel mixed with clay and used for paving. The small and large aggregates are rolled and watered in, consolidating to form a fairly firm (self-binding) surface with a natural feel.
Brick and terracotta: Very fine particles of clay are dug, shaped and fired (fired earth) to make bricks, tiles and other terracotta items used for building of all description. Brick paving can be laid in patterns which feel traditional eg. herringbone; basket-weave; stretcher bond; or more contemporary stack bond. Terracotta tiles can be used and often give a Mediterranean feel.
Wood: Used for construction of exterior decking areas. Most usefully employed when the existing ground (or water) is lower than the required walking surface. Because timber is suspended above the ground, the ground doesn't need to be built up to support it. Better in sunny areas than shade as it can become slippery in prolonged wet weather. Treat a deck periodically to remove the algae, which causes the problem. Either hard woods e.g. Oak and Teak or soft woods, e.g. pine can be used. Soft woods are usually dipped or pressure treated (tanalised) then stained or painted to increase longevity.
back to top
 |
|
| Diagonal Indian sandstone squares
with a double line of Porphyry stone setts detail.
Outer margin of large rectangular sandstone. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Brick edge detail laid in a contemporary
style. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Laid in a diagonal pattern, grey/blue
Indian limestone as a swimming pool paving and
pool edge. back to top |
|
 /td>
| |
| A less formal area laid with Porphyry
stone setts edged with granite lead to a wide
formal path of rectangular York stone. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Cedar deck weathered to a natural
grey contrasts well with terracotta tiles and
granite setts. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Bridge and deck area under willow
tree using Bulau hardwood. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Natural style "hot-tub" enhanced with hardwood steps/sitting area. back to top |
|
Steps are better when larger in scale. Generous proportions make a garden feel bigger. Various materials can be used - stone, wood, loose stone, setts. Treads can vary in material from risers. Using an unusual material for the risers of steps can lift the look of a garden in a big way. Steps can establish an "understated" change of area within the garden.
back to top
 |
|
| Gently curving, gently rising
brick steps, basketweave inset. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Rustic natural stone steps leave
a drystone wall relatively "uninterrupted". back to top |
|
 |
|
| Turning timber steps using natural
oak risers and a self-bound gravel. back to top |
|
 |
|
| York style paving stone treads
with roof tiles used as risers make an octagonal
feature. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Newly quarried York stone treads
with thin slivers of Purbeck stone as risers
connecting the dry stone wall effect either
side of the steps. back to top |
|
 |
|
| Treads using reclaimed rectangular
York stone (pieces of fairly even thickness
chosen) with small pieces of York stone used
as risers and wall material. back to top |
|