Hillgarth

Private Residence

Location: Chorleywood, Rickmansworth

Client: Private Client

Status: In Planning

This private residence is on the fringe of the Chorleywood Common Conservation Area. The property, Hillgarth, is believed to have been built during the 1930’s and reflects the arts and crafts style of the earlier part of the 20th Century.

The property sits within a large significantly sloping plot with a level difference of 15m from the rear terrace to the end of the heavily wooded plot boundary.

The current arts and craft style of the property provides an historic charm, adding to the rural character of the site.

The client had a number of functional and practical requirements that needed to be carefully considered given the severity of the sloping site. A larger entertaining terrace adjacent the house, a level lawn area, firepit and an office / studio.  But the critical challenge was how to navigate through the garden from the higher to the lower areas without the need for major retaining structures.

The Design Approach: Formal vs. Controlled Organic vs. Dynamic

We explored a number of different design approaches with three very distinct and contrasting aesthetic styles. Each option focused on solving the fundamental challenge of how to negotiate the 15m level difference without the need for major structural interventions.

Using the concept of a central “spine” or walkway that weaves down or glides over the slope, interrupted by “nodes” of level functional areas partially set into the slope and partially cantilevered or retained. The “spine” took on three very distinct forms; serpentine, linear and staggered and a more angular “ziggurat” form. Each enabling gentle movement through the site with gentle ramps, floating platforms and boardwalks minimizing any interference with the slope.

Service offered: Landscaping

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CGLA are an award winning team of Landscape Architects, Garden Designers  Landscapers and Garden Maintenance Operatives working in Buckinghamshire, London and the South East, as well as on prestigious design projects across the UK and abroad. We are currently working in Oman, Jersey and France, and welcome enquires for design, landscaping or garden maintenance. Contact us here