East Barn – Chedglow
Designer: Ian Morrison
Graduate Gardeners Ltd are both excited and proud to have been awarded one of the prestigious BALI National Landscaping Awards in the £ 60-100 K category, for this stunning re-design and construction of an old Cotswold stable yard into a crisp modern recreation and leisure space, including an office to reduce the clients morning commute to a pleasant stroll across the newly planted garden.
Design Brief
The client approached Graduate Gardeners to re-design a large tarmac parking area next to an old stable block, into a recreation and entertaining space, along with gym, sauna and office.
The clients requested a formal design which would allow for the space to seamlessly spill out from the main socialising areas of the building onto a terrace. Beyond that design lines were required, to gain access to the main parts of the building including the office. A lawn and planted borders were also requested to help soften the building, along with the design and positioning of a hot tub which was not to be a central feature.
The existing parking area near to the barn was also to be addressed as there is a public right of way and walkers on occasion tended to walk through the garden to access the field beyond.
The original brief for the existing garden was to have the patio re-laid with new limestone paving and the lawn being re-laid with newly planted borders in the same layout as before.
Construction Phase
The builder who was converting the stable block excavated the tarmac area to formation level and installed the low blockwork wall in preparation for GG to take over from that point with Natural Cotswold Stone cladding of the wall. A local Waller created the necessary opening and closings in the existing dry-stone wall before GG started on site.
As the build developed, it became apparent that the main garden did need to be designed to reflect the layout of the stable block area. Without a formal request this area was re-designed and immediately approved by the client, with minimal additional cost. One thing which the clients added was the inclusion of a small veg area.
The wildflower meadow grew to include the wooded area but has not been included in the entry.
The shingling of the drive is outstanding and has been removed from the entry as the client wanted the whole stable block to be completed before this was carried out. This is to be completed in the near future.
Conclusion
The clients are delighted with the finished result which has allowed them to enjoy and spend a great deal more time in the garden whilst entertaining guests on a regular basis.
The main parts of the design which have worked very well for the client are the enclosing of the main garden from the public footpath, whilst creating a very short and pleasurable commute to the office, and also the main seating/entertaining space with the secluded positioning of the hot tub.
