North Auckland based Rochford Landscapes specialise in high end landscape work, and a recently completed cliff top project at Ti Point definitely qualifies as ‘high-end’ in every respect.
Working from a design the owners commissioned from Wellington-based Landscape Architects Wraight + Associates, the team from Rochford had their work cut out—as the cliff top site was very exposed, and soil quality much depleted.
The landscape design’s primary goal was to borrow the curved, flowing architecture of the house and continue that same fluid design language outside.
The property owners wanted a natural environment with native plantings, soft flowing forms and rocky outcrops that allude to the coast’s volcanic geology.
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We spoke to Luke Goddard, the lead Foreman on the three month project, about bringing the landscape architect’s vision to reality, working with the clients, and the many unique challenges he had to overcome while working at this stunning location.
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Photos by Kate Little Photography
Luke - starting this project must have been a daunting proposition, with so much ground work required. Where do you start with something of this scale?
One step at a time! We had the basic form carved out for us so it was all about refining it into the architect's vision - sculpting with the digger, forming the gardens with our steel work to get our shapes and, only then, filling in between with the finer details.
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The clients were very trusting and left us with some flexibility regarding the plan which helped the project run smoothly and allow us to pivot on features depending on the materials we received, such as the paradise stone steps, as well as the clients and our tastes.
What were some of the technical challenges you had to deal with?
The volume of garden beds in the design required tons of extra soil to be brought in and transported around the site. We brought in 180 cubic meters of mulch & peat to fit the bill which we had to do in stages as we sealed off areas with our steel edging, restricting machine access.
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Steep lawn access ways also posed a challenge but were conquered by laying a good foundation of GAP 40 to help our machines get up and down and then prepping our way down with top soil & finishing off with good quality kikuyu ready lawn.
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What materials did you have to bring in to help realise the design vision?
To dress the 180 cubic metres of soil and peat for the gardens, we brought in a whopping 210 cubic metres of arborist mulch. 300 metres of Kikuyu ready lawn for the lawns needing the completed look, while we hydro-seeded the rest.
The gardens & paths were formed using 465 metres of corten steel - often capped with Central Landscapes Landscape Rock, which matched the natural Ti Point rock perfectly. We also used a bunch of macrocarpa sleepers from Central Landscapes for the custom planter boxes and washing line as well as edging to break up lawn and salt & pepper pebbled areas - which we also used (literally) tons of!
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The gardens integrate well with the house. How did you achieve that look?
Although the general placement of the paths and gardens were defined by the plan, the shapes & angles were free formed. I found using the natural bend of the steel worked well to get smooth, swooping curves.
We matched the style of the beautiful curves of the house and windows as we went, aiming for similar angles to compliment the look. No place for sharp angles here!
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‘Beautiful Drainage’ is a phrase that could definitely be applied to the water management systems on the site. Could you tell us a bit about the irrigation and drainage systems you put in place?
All of our Drain Coil field drains feed into a wide, open garden planted swale that runs parallel to the driveway entrance that blends into the native bush behind. Keeping it natural & discrete is our kind of beautiful.
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How was the overall experience for you and your team and what has the feedback been from the clients?
Hands down my favourite project to date. I really found myself in a sweet spot between having enough direction by the design but with enough freedom for creativity - keeping each day exciting and fresh.
Wonderful clients, solid support from my project manager at Rochford Landscapes (shoutout Kelvin Welch!) and - I think the landscape speaks for itself - a sensational transformation. What a pleasure it was to catch so many sunrises and sunsets from the top of the hill there!
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You can find more images and information about this inspiring project here.
Rochford Landscapes will also be launching a garden maintenance service from April this year.