Remuera Residence: Landscape Construction & Planting Project
Location: Remuera
Designer: Sally McLeay
Implementation: Second Nature
Completed: 2011
Second Nature’s collaboration with designer Sally McLeay transformed this Remuera residence through landscape construction and planting. This contemporary design was developed in response to the complex brief provided by the owner, who had recently renovated their 1920s Arts and Crafts house—the interior now being open-plan and unapologetically Modernist.
This unique project required realigning the outdoor spaces with the new interior design, creating a seamless experience every step of the way for the owner and guests alike. Top priorities included creating neutral areas for displaying outdoor art, improving sight lines to the remarkable church next door, and making the garden more suitable as an entertainment space.
Using Sally McLeay’s striking approach to contemporary landscape design, Second Nature implemented the construction and planting elements to complete this award-winning garden.
Precision construction and planting for a contemporary garden
Conventional wisdom says concrete and brick don’t mix, but this Remuera home managed to bring both materials together. Despite being surrounded by brick cladding from the house and the church’s red brick construction, the designer’s vision relied extensively on concrete. From the walls to steps, pads, and even a pizza oven, concrete was chosen as a sculptural element, meticulously executed by Second Nature.
Our execution of the planting elements also demanded close attention to detail. The lawns were raised from the ground, which was a challenging construction task but not an issue for our landscaping experts. The planting palette bridges the old and new by preserving original plants, such as mature olive trees, while introducing natives like nikau, corokia, and Poor Knights lily. The paddle-leaved Birds of Paradise were one of the upright plants chosen to create natural privacy barriers and provide organic backgrounds for art.
Registered Master Landscapers
Second Nature are Registered Master Landscapers, which provides assurance to our clients that our work and business practices have consistently achieved the required best practice and adhere to the Registered Master Landscapers code of conduct.
We're proud to sponsor:
