Determining the framework for the plan

The major lines of orientation for this garden were first defined in relation to the key viewpoints, their position with respect to the central portion of the house, and the relationship of minor axial lines feeding into the core. Rural gardens are generally extrovert - utilising views external to the garden. Urban gardens are generally introvert, with views blocked by buildings. However this garden, although rural, is introvert - all the views are internal.

The design proportions for this garden were taken from the 15th century book on architecture by Alberti "On the Art of Building in Ten Books". Note how the water features at the junction of the major house axis and the cross axis are used to key together these two and their related frames, and to provide a strong central area. The two water features are themselves joined with a rill which is also a link between the two main levels - due to the fall in the land, there is a change in level here of 1 metre (three feet).

If you wish to read more about the design principles behind this design, please refer to the article on this website. You may also be interested in the independent review of this garden in a Suite 101 article.