Designed in 2008, this courtyard garden was changed into a green living wall when reduced by half by the same owners by extending their hometo make a basement swimming pool in 2019.
North-facing and dominated by high walls, the shaded space is a modern Japanese courtyard, with a trio of Japanese Maple trees, Ferns, Liriope & Narihira Bamboo. The Bamboo species, Semiarundinaria fastuosa, is a tall, very upright grass shooting green canes which produce architectural canopies, beside evergreen ferns, and is captivatingly lit.
The central focal point feature is a waterfall, aligned symmetrically within. The oversized outline is clad in slate contrasted by a small spout pouring into a pool. Angled and lit, the water feature produces ripples and reflects shadows onto the surrounding walls.
Sandstone paving laid randomly surfaces the courtyard garden, matching the connected open-plan kitchen flooring in tone , colour & shape. Walls have been rendered and painted in differing tints to add warm contrast & shadow & light patterns.
The raised beds diverge in height, floating above recessed plinths which create generous shadow gaps. Sofas, a bbq, lighting, irrigation, & a fire feature provide utilities to make this secluded courtyard a green, cosy refuge in Central London as a modern indoor-outdoor adytum.
Photos: Marianne Majerus