Sculptural Garden with Floating Decks & Firepit
Private Residence
Location: Sunnycroft, Downley, High Wycombe
Client: Private Client
Status: Ongoing
Located in Downley, High Wycombe, this large L-shaped garden slopes steeply towards the adjacent Chiltern Wood, offering elevated views into the tree canopies. A contemporary cedar-clad glass extension has been added to the house, creating a strong visual connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The design transforms the sloping site into a series of functional and sculptural spaces, integrating seating areas, terraces, a sunken firepit, and an existing koi pond. The main challenge was to navigate the steep terrain without significant structural interventions, preserving the natural topography while enhancing movement through the space.
Sculptural Forms & Floating Platforms
Inspired by modernist principles and the works of architect Marcel Breuer and artist Kandinsky, the design embraces a minimalist yet bold approach. Circular decks and platforms appear to float across the slope, creating accessible links between different areas of the garden. The use of pure geometric forms adds depth and structure while maintaining a light, elegant aesthetic.
Three large overlapping lawn discs shape the highest point of the slope, forming a sculptural green space that contrasts with the surrounding woodland. The circular firepit, seamlessly built into the incline, offers an intimate retreat with framed views into the landscape. Highly polished steel spheres are positioned within the space, reflecting light and adding further dimension to the design.
Minimal Intervention with Maximum Impact
By working with the natural terrain rather than reshaping it, the design achieves a seamless integration between architecture and landscape. The gentle grading of the slope ensures accessibility while preserving the site’s natural contours. The result is a highly structured yet organic space that enhances the garden’s functionality without disrupting its existing beauty.
Service offered: Design
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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
