Nestled in Braintree, Essex, Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture transformed this remarkable historic 18th-century property with a naturalistic meandering garden.
Before arriving at the site, an expansive lawn area occupied the area. Stefano Marinaz replaced the lawn with a captivating array of perennial plants, drawing a variety of wildlife throughout the seasons while adding biodiversity and urban cooling effect to the space.
At the forefront, where vehicles once parked, now lies a graceful terrace, born from the area’s reimagining.
The division between the garden’s two sections, once marked by towering brick barriers, was redefined with the demolition of one wall and the introduction of an exquisite bespoke steel fence.
Creating a distinction between these two spaces not only preserved a sense of separation but also fostered a newfound unity and spatial efficiency in front of the residence.
The garden’s revamp introduces a verdant tapestry of Sesleria autumnalis and Sporobolus heterolepis grasses, interspersed with bulb clusters and over a thousand perennials, creating a year-round spectacle of nature.
Enhancing this biodiversity are ten newly planted multistem trees, featuring signature amelanchiers and other seasonal delights like Clerodendrum trichotomum, Koelreuteria paniculata, and Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’.
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Traversed by winding gravel paths, the garden now hosts three distinct nooks: a sunbathing retreat, a fire pit gathering space, and a serene corner for morning coffee indulgence.
The renovations crowning touch adorns the barn and remaining brick walls with an array of climbing roses, including ‘Claire Austin’, ‘Mortimer Sackler’, and ‘The Generous Gardener’, adding a romantic flourish to the property’s historic charm.
Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture kept hardscapes to a minimum to maximize planting space and pea gravel pathways, creating a sense of flow in the garden.
A carefully curated mix of woody plants and hedges, complemented by grasses and perennials, helps to ground the black barn conversion in its surroundings. The planting is woven through the new pathways, with a gravel terrace by the barn sheltered.
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The overall effect is a garden that feels completely at home in its surroundings, with the wooded atmosphere heightened by the presence of the newly planted trees.
It is also a garden that is designed for both full sun and shade, thanks to the clever use of shady planting, such as heuchera ‘Purple Spice’, and the dappled light provided by the hedging. The judges described it as ‘a beautiful, understated nod to modernity’.
Stefano Marinaz ‘s work weaves together nature and design in a symphony of harmony and beauty.
In all of their projects, a commitment to ecological sensitivity, aesthetic excellence, and the creation of spaces that resonate with the human spirit.
Stefano Marinaz believes that successful landscapes must harmonize with their natural surroundings. On each of their projects, designs are informed by careful observation of site ecology, topography, and climatic conditions, resulting in spaces that feel integrated and cohesive.
