Residential Landscape Project at Giriulla, Sri Lanka
To transform a suburban home garden in the intermediate climate zone into a peaceful, functional, and aesthetically pleasing retreat for family relaxation, social gatherings, and home gardening.
Entry Landscape
The Entry Landscape was strategically designed to create a strong, secure, and aesthetically seamless transition from the public road to the private sanctuary. A core element of the hardscape design was the creation of a newly styled boundary wall and the proposal of a roller gate paired with a wicket gate, which establishes a clear, grand entrance aligned with the modern architecture of the home. The architectural style and color theme of the boundary wall—incorporating black, white, titanium, and brick brown—were specifically chosen to harmonize with the existing house, ensuring a cohesive and sophisticated aesthetic from the first glance. This zone effectively enhances both the security and privacy of the residence.
Front Yard
The Front Yard is envisioned as the property's primary open leisure space, designed to provide a calm and welcoming ambiance for both family members and visitors. The key features include a lush, well-maintained lawn area complemented by natural rock arrangements which serve as informal seating and aesthetic accents. To fulfill the client's desire for a deeply relaxing and pleasing environment, the planting scheme incorporates Plumeria trees and other large-grown trees, establishing a desirable shady environment. Circulation is managed by a clear stepping stone pathway that ensures smooth movement and directly connects the front of the house to the Relaxing Area.
East Side Garden
The East Side Garden is dedicated to accessibility and functional elegance, serving as a clean, direct passage along the length of the house. The primary intent was to provide easy and smooth access, ensuring seamless circulation between the front and rear areas of the garden. The hardscape utilizes a refined combination of materials, featuring wooden paving interspersed with gravel to create a durable and aesthetically pleasing walkway. The planting edge along the passage incorporates striking tropical species such as Heliconia and Alexandra palms, which enhance the aesthetic appeal while maintaining clear access. The design successfully transformed this side passage into a clearly defined, functional space, contributing to the overall connectivity and flow of the residence.
West Side Garden
The West Side Garden is a functional space that focuses heavily on privacy and visual buffering from the neighboring properties. The primary design effort in this area was the installation of boundary walls to ensure the property's seclusion and security. This area features a combination of lawn and ornamental plants, including various flower plants, trees, and natural rocks, providing a pleasant visual corridor. The careful selection of these elements ensures a lush, organized appearance that acts as a natural screen, transitioning the aesthetic experience from the primary Front Yard to the highly private Relaxing Area at the rear of the property.
Relaxing Area
The Relaxing Area is the dedicated private leisure and social hub, precisely positioned and designed for absolute seclusion. Fulfilling the client's requirement for a water feature while ensuring privacy, the central feature is the private swimming pool with a surrounding warm wooden deck. Absolute privacy is ensured by a perimeter enclosure utilizing a combination of cement walls, a high dark wooden fence, and a plant wall, effectively shielding the space from the neighborhood. Beyond the pool area, the space is multi-functional, including a designated bonfire and gathering area. This zoning creates the ultimate resort-like sanctuary for both intimate family time and social entertainment.
Backyard Garden
The Backyard Garden is designed as a dedicated, functional space for the homeowners to engage in sustainable living and home gardening. The entire area was cleared and organized to maximize its productive capacity. This is achieved through numerous raised planting beds arranged in tidy rows, allowing for the systematic cultivation of fresh produce. Further maximizing the limited space, the design incorporates innovative vertical planting systems and utilizes a steel wire boundary fence to support climbing plants, ensuring a highly productive yet organized environment. This clear division of space allows the family to enjoy their passion for gardening without compromising the aesthetic and leisure functions of the main garden areas.
Development Phases
Site Analysis
Comprehensive site assessment and client brief.
Design Development
Concept and detailed design phases.
Documentation
Construction drawings and specifications.
Construction
Full landscape implementation.