Mt. Martha IIII

Project Scope

Leone had bought the property and the garden was just tired and completely underutilised.


There was a patch of grass, some planting, and then this undulating hill that fell away. The space had potential but nobody had attempted to do anything with the land.


We originally went in to do a pool but when we looked at it properly it was just too big for what she needed.


We decided to pull back and reimagined the whole space.


Decided on a substantial pond instead. A sauna went in too. The brief became about adding real value to the property and creating a space she would actually want to spend time in every day.

Challenges

This was one of the most physically demanding projects we've done.


The access was so restricted that machines couldn't be moved in and out from the entry.


Everything came in by hand. Pavers, steppers, block work, crush rock, all of it barrowed down the hill by the boys. It was a smaller project on paper but the labour involved was significant.


The pond itself also had to be engineered to hold the pressure of a full water body, which is more structural work than most people could imagine.

Deliverables

Large feature pond with double liner system, sand base, and full rock and pebble coverage. Leone has goldfish in there now

Treated pine retaining wall fully clad in custom rolled and engineered core ten steel. When you look at it, it just reads as a core ten wall

Core ten floating steppers with levels carefully resolved throughout

Sauna with power, water and all amenities run underground

Hardy board cladding installed across the entire veranda, which was previously open and unfinished

Extensive hand-placed stonework throughout, all carried in by hand

Feature lighting designed to complement the stone and pond at night

Planting schedule tailored to the site and Peninsula climate

Views across to the bay from the finished space

There's a misconception amongst locals in the Peninsula.


Most think landscaping is what you see.


The plants, the paving, and the fire pit at the end of the garden. But the people who get the most out of their land are the ones who understand that what makes a space truly exceptional is everything you don't see.


The pre-planning, designing, surveying, site levelling...


This is the reason why you have to factor in landscaping very early on in your build.


Our clients love working with us because of our shared values. We are 

process-driven & obsess over the finer details that make up the bigger picture.


This obsession leads to unique landscapes where your finest memories are made. Time spent with loved ones or just enjoying the moment whilst you're sipping on a cuppa in the morning.


It's the appreciation of the simple things.


That's why we build gardens that flo.


--


Jay Shelling - (Founder / Director)