The Brief: This urban courtyard garden was designed for clients to enjoy alfresco living – as the dated garden they had inherited had no real place to sit comfortably. Midway through the build, the country went into its first lockdown and the garden became an even more important space for the family.

The Solution: The mature trees on site were retained, with existing brick planters replaced by contemporary corten steel. Corten was also used to trim the green roof on the new bespoke cedar clad storage shed, with cedar slatted trellis along the garden walls to improve privacy. Clay pavers were used in different patterns in the courtyard spaces – one of which was enlarged to accommodate the family’s table tennis table, a vital diversion during lockdown. New steps and terraced planting improved the view from the basement flat. The planting scheme adds texture and colour and helps soften the space.