In this video you’ll see the design process from start to finish – lots of trade secrets given away in this one…
Not got time to watch whole video & just want to see the finished design? See completed Courtyard garden design!
Keep to the Brief
The clients came up with lots of good ideas: raised planting borders, seating and illusion trellis focal point at the end of the garden. It was a nice change to have some of the thinking done already!
When designing anything it is important to consider the function of the area. This courtyard will mostly be used for a cool place to sit and have afternoon tea. It is two flights of stairs below the main living areas, so won’t be used much for dining.
Set Your Sights
As shown in the video, it is really beneficial to work out how the garden will be viewed before you start to design it. When you know which views are the most important, you can set your design up to maximise these views.
Find Your Centre
The line running down the middle of the garden is the centre line – it is only really necessary to know if you are planning on creating a fairly formal scheme that needs symmetry. Because of the shape of the courtyard and in order to keep the centre line parallel to the house, there were two centre lines. A centre line from the back of the garden and the other centre line from the middle of the front of the garden.
Simplicity is Key
When you start to rough out your design, it helps if you keep the shapes as simple as possible. Simple shapes to begin with, help make it easier to see how well you are using the available space and that everything is in proportion.
Precision Finishing
Before the design is finished, it is vital to check that everything lines up as it should and paths are of equal width. Double check by measuring everything you have drawn. A couple of millimetres out on the paper can be ten centimetres on the ground. You may not notice it’s not correct on paper but it will show when the garden is built!
So How Does a Garden Go From a Drawing Into Reality?
If you ever wanted to see how a garden is constructed, then the next video in the series will show all. But will it all go to plan? Find out next week!
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Part 4 How to Build A Courtyard Garden
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Great video, Rachel! I’m in the process of designing several small zen courtyards that adjoin to a common center pathway. You gave me some great ideas–thanks!
Your autoresponder seems to be down. I tried to subscribe, failed.
I think you have something here with garden design. I know I could have used the information a few years ago when I worked on my (ex)girlfriend’s garden.
Let me know if you want some feedback.
Hi Jenny
Glad the video has helped you come up with some ideas! In the next few weeks I’ll be adding photo galleries, so be sure to check back if you need extra ideas.
Hi Dave
Thanks for letting me know about the autoresponder – seems to be a code clash somewhere so I’ve changed the form – should all work now!
I think you are right – if people have access to the right information, they can achieve good results with their garden. Please do give me any feedback you have. I want to make this site as useful to people as possible, so the more feedback the better!
Thanks
Rachel
Great vid! Thanks for ideas and new perspective to surveying, base mapping and such. (Sorry it has taken me so long to sit down and watch!)
Two burning questions: do tell, where did you get your amazing drafting desk and straightedge / track drafting machine? Manufacturer name will do…
And what is the height of the desk? You look so comfy sitting at it… creating great things without a pain in the neck or back creeping up on you.
Thanks for good and inspiring work!
Thanks Annie!
I use a couple of drawing boards my fav is the Kuhlmann drafting table in my other office but it’s an enormous oversized A0, so doesn’t fit in my home office.
The one shown in the videos is a Tecnostyl drafting board which is A1 size. I don’t have a set height for it. I adjust it depending on which part of the drawing I’m working on so that I keep my back aligned comfortably. They come with the drafting machine, both mine were bought at auction so I think you might need to buy them separately.
It’s really important not to slouch over your drawing, leaning forward from the hips is how you are supposed to do it whist seated, I constantly have to remind myself not to slouch – standing up helps with that!