The Zen Retreat
Exercise in nature
Invigorate and relax
This is a garden designed to invigorate and relax. The sunken garden gym sits gently in the wooded landscape and is connected to the raised terrace via floating steps. With the doors open, you are able to exercise in nature while the terrace forms a comfortable platform for
yoga and stretching amidst the gentle sound of water trickling over the basalt stone sculpture. The terrace transforms in the evening into a sociable space around the fire to take in the setting sun.
Gardens need to work hard for us; they are spaces to relax, work out, socialise and meditate.
YEAR
2020
Collaborators
Landscapers Love Outdoors Group
Paving Prima Porcelain
Pot Urbis Design
Plants and trees Provender Nursery
Water Feature Tor Stone
Garden Room Vertis Buildings
SERVICES
Full design consultation including mood board, 3D visualisations, CAD construction drawings, specification, planting plan, lighting plan, liaising with landscapers, build monitoring, setting out plants on site and furniture sourcing.
Grounded
It was vital that the garden gym sit harmoniously within the wooded setting. It was sunken well below ground level to settle it gently into the landscape. The building is taller than average to allow the full array of gym equipment and so it was necessary to ensure it didn’t feel overbearing and dominant. The vertical cedar cladding helps to soften the building into the surrounding trees and is framed by two Acers either side, to further nestle it into the garden.
Punctuate
The clean lines of porcelain are softened by Soleirolia soleirolii, a wonderful low-growing plant ideal between pavers. The neat mounds eventually form a soft carpet of green bridging the spaces between the paving. The rhythmical punctuation of planting leads the eye towards the sunken gym.
“We reached out to Georgia to help us visualise the area leading to our new garden gym. Our primary concern was to ensure the new building would sit well within our garden and existing elements.
Georgia came up with a beautiful design for a patio and stepped area. Apart from the drawings and design elements, Georgia also sourced a landscaping firm and oversaw what was an organically evolving project to completion as well as sourcing elements like pots and water feature, etc. We are delighted with the outcome which not only sits well within the space but which has added utility and beauty to our garden.”
Martin
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