Project Overview

Surrey Hills Concept Garden — AONB Setting
Set within the protected landscape of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this Paragraph 80 project centres on a modern architectural home nestled among ancient woodland. The expansive site called for a design that would harmonise with the ecological richness of its surroundings while supporting the architectural ambition of the dwelling.

Design Response

The garden design prioritises a gentle transition between the built form and the natural woodland beyond. Planting schemes were designed to enhance the site’s ecological value by weaving native and climate-resilient species into defined yet fluid patterns. Grassy swales and rewilded pockets blur the edges of the formal garden, encouraging biodiversity and grounding the minimalist structure within the landscape.

Sightlines and circulation were carefully shaped to preserve key views and ensure the garden reads as a continuation of the architectural language — clean geometry softened by layered planting. Access paths and terraces use restrained materials that echo the building’s palette, while the larger open lawn acts as a visual pause between architecture and nature. Throughout, the design avoids imposition and instead cultivates a sense of immersion, privacy, and natural flow.