Darwin

What was once a dark, enclosed backyard has been reimagined as a light-filled, functional garden for everyday living and entertaining. The original space was defined by a continuous built form – an oversized pergola extending to a large shed – which effectively cut off natural light to the kitchen and living areas. The brief was clear: open the space, introduce light, and create a garden that felt generous, usable and connected to the home.

The response began with subtraction. The existing pergola and shed were removed entirely, allowing light to re-enter the interior and re-establishing a sense of openness across the site. A new cathedral-style pergola was introduced, carefully proportioned and elevated to draw in natural light while still providing shade and structure. The raised form allows sunlight to penetrate deep into the adjoining living spaces, creating a much softer, brighter internal environment throughout the day. At the centre of the garden sits a custom concrete swimming pool, designed as both a functional element and a visual anchor. The pool is framed by Basket Range sandstone, which forms a subtle retaining edge and introduces a grounded, natural materiality that contrasts with the clean architectural lines of the space.

Planting has been layered to soften the built elements and create a sense of immersion. While still establishing, the palette has been selected to provide movement, texture and seasonal interest, and will, over time, settle into a lush, cohesive garden. To the rear of the pool, a more intimate garden moment unfolds. A custom pool equipment shed has been integrated into the design, with its rear edge softened by planting and a series of sage limestone steppers set within groundcover. This space is intentionally more interactive—an area to move through, pause within, or occupy with a single chair – where purple flowering perennials spill gently through pik fencing, blurring the boundary between structure and planting.

The result is a garden that balances openness with enclosure, and function with atmosphere – transforming a previously underperforming space into one that supports both everyday family life and relaxed entertaining.