Contemporary Hillside Garden with Floating Steps | Oakridge, Chiltern Hills
Private Residence
Chiltern Hills
Private Client
Status: Completed
Service Offer: Design, Landscaping
This stunning hillside garden in Oakridge, Chiltern Hills, was designed to complement a major property renovation, transforming the steep, elevated site into a contemporary yet natural outdoor space. With breathtaking views across the landscape, the homeowners wanted a low-maintenance, accessible garden that blended seamlessly with its surroundings while offering functional spaces for family use and entertaining.
The CGLA design team developed a carefully considered contemporary sloped garden design plan, introducing retaining walls, floating steps, and vertical timber structures to create a sleek yet organic aesthetic. The result is a garden that feels both modern and timeless, with thoughtful landscaping that enhances the property’s architecture and setting.
Maximising a Steeply Sloped Site with Contemporary Design
With the house positioned on an elevated plot, the primary challenge was ensuring easy access through the garden, creating practical routes while maintaining an open, flowing layout. To achieve this, we designed a series of retaining walls and stepped pathways, allowing movement across the levels while ensuring the landscape remained visually seamless.
Instead of traditional stone or brick, we used vertical wooden retaining structures to achieve a softer, more natural aesthetic, blending effortlessly with the Chiltern Hills landscape. These vertical elements create a striking contrast against the smooth, modern finishes elsewhere in the garden.
Floating Steps & Poolside Transformation
A standout feature of this garden is the floating-effect steps, which appear to hover within the space, enhancing the contemporary, lightweight feel of the design. These steps lead down to a pre-existing pool, which was completely renovated to align with the sleek, modern style of the new garden.
The carefully positioned levels and pathways ensure that the pool area remains both connected and distinct, offering a tranquil retreat that feels integrated into the wider landscape.
Lighting & Planting to Enhance the Design
As part of the 3D design package, the team developed a sophisticated lighting scheme, ensuring the garden is just as striking in the evening as it is by day. Subtle, well-placed lighting highlights the floating steps, pathways, and structural planting, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere after dark.
The planting scheme was designed to complement the clean lines of the hard landscaping, introducing layers of greenery to soften the contemporary design. A mix of textured grasses, evergreen shrubs, and seasonal perennials ensures the garden remains low-maintenance while offering year-round visual interest.
A Seamless Transformation from Concept to Completion
Once the designs were finalised, the CGLA landscaping team carried out the full installation, with Project Managers and Designers overseeing every stage to ensure the quality, precision, and aesthetic vision were realised.
The result is a contemporary hillside garden that is both functional and visually breathtaking, offering seamless access, stunning views, and an elegant outdoor retreat.
Transforming Outdoor Spaces in the Chiltern Hills & Beyond
This Oakridge garden transformation is a perfect example of how smart landscaping and contemporary design can turn a steeply sloped site into a functional and elegant outdoor space. By introducing floating steps, natural retaining structures, and a cohesive planting scheme, we created a garden that is both beautiful and practical for modern living.
Ready to Elevate Your Garden Design?
Contact us today to discuss your Chiltern Hills garden project, and let’s create a landscape that enhances your home and lifestyle.
“CGLA worked with us over 18 months to take an uninspiring, dated garden to something that is a pleasure to look at every time we open the curtains. From design to project built and completion, they were professional and responsive throughout”.
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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
