Resource-led Design
Sustainable and durable
Working with the materials that are locally available and sustainable, is a win-win. It’s good for the planet and it will look and feel like it belongs in your garden – creating a sense of place and a connection to the land.
Here are some examples of locally sourced materials that we’ve been using in our gardens this summer to blend in with their Sussex locations.
Round wood chestnut
Earlier this year we spent time with author and woodsman Ben Law, in Prickly Nut Wood, building with round wood timber frames (and carving the odd spoon round the fire).
Round wood timber framing is a low impact building technique that brings the natural shape of the forest and the traditions of woodland craft, into the garden.
Ben has used this resource and technique to impressive effect around his woodland. We’ve been learning these techniques and sourcing wood directly from Ben and putting it to good use in our gardens.
Composting in style
Chestnut is such a durable and workable wood that we use it for other features around the garden too. Here, in collaboration with MakerMark we created this rustic compost bin for a client in Brighton.
Costal inspiration
Inspired by Rye harbour, we created a costal style path with materials from the South Coast. Oyster pebbles and reclaimed oak groynes, planted with Hebe albicans, to mimic the Crambe maritima (sea kale).
Pallet wood tool shed
We often have pallets lying about after deliveries and they can be a useful upcycling material. Pallets are built in a variety of wood, most often in pine but sometimes in oak.
We created this handy little tool shed with some left over pallets and a spare afternoon.
Woodland borders
Larch is a fast growing hard wood and great to use around the garden. Here we used locally sourced larch, cut to size, to create an enclosed woodland feel to these borders. Providing protection and improved drainage for the plants, habitats for wildlife, levels to play on for the kids and places to perch on for Mum and Dad.