Set at the base of Mount Sturgeon, this garden balances clean modern lines with grounded, natural forms. Every decision was shaped by how the space would perform in Dunkeld’s conditions. Frost. Dry summers. Clay soil. And a site that falls away.
This isn’t a flat suburban block. The land moves. Water runs. Cold air settles. So we worked with it.
Working With Slope, Frost and Clay
The design starts with the realities of the site. Not against them. With them. Mounded garden beds wrap the arrival space, circling an established eucalypt. They’re not just visual. They lift planting above heavy clay, improve drainage, and reduce erosion across the slope.
Mass native planting builds structure without adding maintenance. Tough shrubs and perennials hold form year-round. The palette draws directly from the Grampians landscape. Textural. Resilient. Grounded in place. Locally sourced boulders are set into the garden as if they’ve always been there. They stabilise soil, break up the fall, and visually anchor the space to Mount Sturgeon’s rugged geology. Groundcovers and grasses soften the edges. The result feels embedded, not applied.
Shaping Space Through Structure
A gently curved wall introduces privacy without closing the site in. It draws the eye and creates movement through the space. Openings are positioned to frame controlled views of the surrounding landscape. The curve isn’t just aesthetic. It responds to the slope and shifts how the space is experienced. It also creates shelter. Protection from wind. Relief from frost pockets.
Structure, doing multiple jobs at once.
Outdoor Living That Fits the Landscape
Outdoor living sits at the centre of the design.
A sunken firepit uses the natural fall of the land to create a protected gathering space. It’s sheltered, intimate, and made for cool Grampians evenings. A revitalised water garden introduces contrast. Reflection against dry, textural planting. Movement against stillness. The custom barbecue zone extends the space further. Built for long lunches and slow evenings. Family, friends, local wine, and the mountain sitting quietly in the background.
Designed for Regional Performance
This project reflects how we approach regional sites. Start with analysis. Read the land properly. Then design with it. Slope becomes structure. Frost informs placement. Clay dictates drainage. Every decision connects back to performance.
The result is a contemporary native garden that belongs to Dunkeld. Functional. Durable. And built to improve over time.
