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Formerly an apple orchard, this stunning property now features a New Zealand Architecture award-winning home designed by Jon Craig. The northwest-facing sloping site offers sweeping views of Waimea Inlet and showcases works by contemporary New Zealand sculptors, creating a seamless blend of architecture, art, and landscape.
The design includes a series of outdoor patios and courtyards that flow effortlessly from the home's interior living spaces. These areas are connected by a pergola and a series of expansive horizontal grass terraces and stone steps, providing a smooth transition to the broader landscape. A rill of water runs through the property, visually linking the inlet to the hillside amphitheater, enhancing the sense of connection with the surrounding natural environment.
The planting palette for the property is diverse and thoughtfully curated. Around the house, convenience shrubs provide ease of maintenance, while orchard trees honor the property's history. An arboretum of exotic trees adds variety and interest, and extensive native revegetation areas help restore local plant communities. Wetland planting and the use of native species consistent with the site's drainage patterns and estuary edge support the local ecosystem and enhance biodiversity.
RMM worked closely with the client to bring their vision to life, creating a landscape that is not only beautiful but also sustainable and enduring. The design ensures that the landscape will evolve and change with the seasons, offering the owners unique and rewarding experiences over time. The thoughtful integration of diverse plantings and water features, along with the preservation and enhancement of natural elements, creates a dynamic and living environment.
The design includes a series of outdoor patios and courtyards that flow effortlessly from the home's interior living spaces. These areas are connected by a pergola and a series of expansive horizontal grass terraces and stone steps, providing a smooth transition to the broader landscape. A rill of water runs through the property, visually linking the inlet to the hillside amphitheater, enhancing the sense of connection with the surrounding natural environment.
The planting palette for the property is diverse and thoughtfully curated. Around the house, convenience shrubs provide ease of maintenance, while orchard trees honor the property's history. An arboretum of exotic trees adds variety and interest, and extensive native revegetation areas help restore local plant communities. Wetland planting and the use of native species consistent with the site's drainage patterns and estuary edge support the local ecosystem and enhance biodiversity.
RMM worked closely with the client to bring their vision to life, creating a landscape that is not only beautiful but also sustainable and enduring. The design ensures that the landscape will evolve and change with the seasons, offering the owners unique and rewarding experiences over time. The thoughtful integration of diverse plantings and water features, along with the preservation and enhancement of natural elements, creates a dynamic and living environment.
The transformation of this former apple orchard into a property with an award-winning home and a meticulously designed landscape is a testament to the power of thoughtful landscape architecture. By combining functional outdoor living spaces, a diverse and ecologically sensitive planting palette, and elements that celebrate the site's natural beauty and history, RMM has created a timeless landscape. This project highlights the importance of integrating architecture, art, and nature, offering a sustainable and evolving environment that enriches the lives of its owners and visitors.
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