Family Garden
Bord Bia
Built as a Feature Garden as part of Bloom in the Park 2024. Bord Bia commissioned RLA to create a design for a Family Garden as part of the ‘Easy Steps to Dream Gardens’ project.
The project was not judged
This is a split level multi generational space featuring three distinct zones with a variety of offerings for a growing family. A vibrantly planted raised bed of weathered steel filters the view into the garden from the house. Robust low toxicity planting has been selected to encourage pollinators and wildlife. The space is wheelchair accessible with a ramp. You'll find a green-roofed playhouse with a sandpit and a studio room which can be used for an office or storage, or converted into a den when the kids are older.
Water can act as a focal point in the garden, creating a sense of calm and tranquility.
The grate used both internally and externally as the water circulates makes it more child friendly.
Large Schellevis units provide distinct flat areas to play while also giving off a contemporary feel to the space.
The Ball Wall. A simple 1.8 height block work rendered wall built to provide a backdrop for play in the garden. Following lockdown the ball wall became the ‘must have’ for kids to practice their GAA. As the kids grow the planter can be planted up with climbers or fruiting espalier trees. For now the circles act as targets to improve aim and co ordination.
Target practice and a place to hang out with friends.
We used a lovely carpeting thyme with fragrant foliage at the foot of our Schellevis concrete benches
Our purple creeping thyme sits nicely between the Schellevis kerb and Egyptian limestone
The split level allows distinct areas within the garden to be designed in . The kick about area made up of lawn and the ball wall are lower that the zone immediately outside the house providing a sense of privacy for all the family. The raised weathered steel planter protects the plants that grown at an elevated level from ball play.
A 1x1m sand pit provides so much in terms of imaginative play. Custom lids can be used to fixed in place for easy removal.
