Community Garden

Client: Raven Housing Estate
Year Completed: 2009
Size: 2400 sqm
Location: Horley

This garden scooped several industry awards for it’s clever use of space and the sensory and seasonal aspects of the design.

Winning ‘Gold’ and ‘Best Communal Garden’ in the New Homes Garden Awards 2010, it also won the overall ‘Garden of the year’.

The housing association wanted a garden for residents to relax in, enjoy nature and, as several were keen gardeners, to work in if they wanted to. An environmentally friendly garden with a low water requirement was high on the list too.

The plants were chosen for their appeal to bees and butterflies and because bright colours are easiest to see for elderly residents.

Textures and scent were key parts of the design. Especially narrow trees were chosen to add shape and stature without overwhelming the rather narrow space at the front of the building.

Routes around the building made use of every part of the garden with secluded spaces created along the way and a terrace adjacent to the main communal rooms so that people could socialise in a garden area.