We Heart Melbourne – Nagasaki Balcony Garden 2015
A compact balcony garden combining small backyard transformations with art-led design, creating a layered outdoor space within a highly constrained footprint.
Angus & Celeste (hanging planters)
Willie Weston (chair/stool/cushions)
Indigenous artist: Osmond Kantilla (textile artwork)
Artist: Katie McKinnon (artwork)
Gardening World Cup, Nagasaki (Event Host)
Exhibited at the 2015 Gardening World Cup in Nagasaki, Japan, We Heart Melbourne explores how small backyard transformations and balcony spaces can still deliver rich, layered design outcomes. Created in response to the theme “My Country, My Home,” the project captures a snapshot of Melbourne’s creative culture within a highly constrained footprint.
The design maximises space through considered outdoor living space design, using level changes, integrated seating, and recycled hardwood timber to create depth and usability. Every element is carefully placed to ensure the balcony functions as both a practical living area and a visually engaging environment.
A key focus of the project is the integration of local art and design. Sculptural hanging planters, custom furniture, and textile elements bring together multiple creative disciplines, reinforcing a strong sense of place. This layered approach reflects modern garden aesthetics, where material, form, and cultural narrative work together to shape the experience.
Despite its scale, the project demonstrates the value of thoughtful garden design services, showing how even the smallest spaces can be transformed into meaningful, functional landscapes that connect people to both environment and culture.
We Heart Melbourne; Nagasaki Japan
Behind the Build & Progress
There’s something special about creating a piece of Melbourne in Japan. On site in Japan, you start thinking about home differently. What makes a space feel settled, what makes people feel comfortable. A long way from home, but the intention stays the same. Create a space that welcomes people in, slows them down, and makes them feel like they belong there.
