A Fantasy Forest in Remuera

The clients, a family of five, had moved into their property two years prior and had lived through a number of extreme weather events which left their back section unusable for the children. The wet conditions attracted mosquitoes which made being in the backyard for more than 5 minutes unbearable. They wanted a cohesive and usable space again.

Originally the husband wanted a golf simulator which got vetoed not only by the wife, but also by the building restrictions on their land due to the number of underground services, criss-crossing their section.

We agreed to turn the lower section of the property into a fantasy forest with a play area, a fire pit and some meandering paths that would take the children on an adventure, and we would level off the lawn between that area and the house with a retaining wall. That way, both parents and children would have space to play and entertain friends and family.

Islands of native and tropical plants would provide the backdrop for each area, with aromatic lemon grass & gardenias dotted around the most trafficked areas to entice the senses, while a thick layer of uruti pebble mulch would lower the water table and make it harder for mozzies to lay their eggs.

The main lawn area closer to the house was meant to reflect the formal setting of the front yard and privacy screening in the form of ficus tuffi hedges are meant to create a cohesive flow from the interior of the house, out to the formal entertaining area and deck, toward the wilder tropical fantasy forest and play area.