Fire Pit Courtyard
This project in rural Matakana had a simple brief: create a fire pit courtyard to compliment the house and pool and renew patchy existing native plantings.
Bespoke fire pit courtyards are somewhat tricky things to nail especially on coastal sites with prevailing SW winds and stunning views (we did not want to disturb).
Effective spatial design/ containment was achieved by mimicking the existing pool curve in the form of a boundary wall that also protects the fire from SW winds and preserves existing views. A mix of NZ paradise stone and bawbaw was used for cladding the pit and mimicking circlular form at the ground plane. Add a long bespoke seat with custom cushions, movable chairs from Design Warehouse and a snug weather-proof cavity for wood storage and you have everything you need. We now wait for internal planting to grow and soften the edges of walling, seats and deck, etc.
“We employed Carl Pickens as our landscape architect for our building project and we have been extremely happy with the work he has done for us. Our project had two aspects. It was a completely blank canvas on just over an acre of land and we were bound by the requirements of council who required a very detailed plan and report for resource consent. From the very early planning stages of the project, Carl was extremely helpful and provided us with detailed plans and plant information. In a combined effort we were able to finalise a hard landscaping plan and planting plan that suits the site perfectly. On site visits we were able to take advantage of his expertise when we were finalising the orientation of the house and moving the large amounts of fill around the site in accordance with the landscaping plan. Carl is also very hands on. He arranged for the purchase of the plants for the first stage of planting and along with two others came and spent a week helping us plant. We were so grateful for this assistance. It certainly got the project underway and gave us the confidence to carry on! Carl has remained interested in our project and we are in contact as it progresses. Carl’s knowledge in all aspects of landscaping, plants and gardening methods is vast and we could not have done this project without him. We would not hesitate recommending him to other potential clients.”
Richard and Jo Beddek, Mangonui, Northland.