Contemporary sloping garden, Brighton, East Sussex

The brief was to design a contemporary garden for this modern house in Brighton.

The sloping garden is composed of several levels to satisfy every family member. At the top 7 wide steps which could be used as seats connect the top terrace to a lower seating area.
It opens the view and optimizes the available space. An intermediate level with deep borders provides some privacy to the lower level. It is composed of a contemporary fish pond and a platform deck to relax.

The playground area consists of a trampoline and a den with a green roof. The terrace at the bottom has a fire pit and an area for outdoor cooking. In the evening everyone gathers around the fireplace. The level changes have been spread regularly to allow an easy progression through the garden and to avoid overlooking views from the other gardens.

Minimal and contemporary materials:

• Weathering steel: a lively material with a rust-like appearance evolving with the weather and time.
• Concrete with board formed finish: This is a basic material normally used as a foundation layer rather than a finished material. The timber printed finish gives an authentic texture to this raw material.
• Black granite setts: They give an illusion of a greater space and rhythm.
• Ipe for the top deck terrace and the platform deck.
• Western cedar wood for the cladded den.
• Recycled floorboards for the fire pit area