A Modernist Country House

We were called in to work with London-based architects Studio Kyson to create a landscape around this modernist house in a glorious rural setting.

Our design responds to the modernist architecture of the new house and patchwork field patterns of the surrounding landscape by creating interlocking rectilinear forms, softened by mounding evergreens and clouds of blossom and grasses.

Driveway and approach: a smooth bound gravel driveway sweeps through deep beds of hazy golden grasses and wildlife attracting flowers that hold the light, seeming to float amongst the grass heads. Multi stem shrubs and trees planted at intervals bring rhythm and structure to the scene. 

Internal Courtyard: inspired by Japanese design principles and the patchwork nature of Tatami mats, the open modernist design facilitates indoor-outdoor living with separate areas for dining and sitting. A stylised grove of sculptural multi stem cherry trees provide shade, blossom and autumn colour, while large beds of highly tactile pollinator-friendly planting are contrasted against a pared back palette of limestone paving and setts. 

Woodland Play Area: surrounded by bluebells, ransoms, and cow parsley, the woodland camp play area features soft bark mulch paths, natural play structures incorporating insect hotels and log piles. 

The Meadows: an avenue of Medlar trees, leads to an idyllic pastoral scene. The naturally undulating contours of the land are enhanced through subtle rolling landforms that create a variety ecological niches where different native grasses and wildflowers can thrive.  Dog roses and honeysuckle spill through restored native hedgerows of Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Holly. An orchard filled with heritage Yorkshire apples and plums abuts a nuttery of hazels, cobnuts and walnut trees.

The design has been approved by planning, with a build date in 2025.