Awarded Best Design at the 2015 Gardening World Cup in Nagasaki, Japan, The Garden of the Little Wattlebird represents a deeply personal and expressive approach to landscape design. Inspired by a childhood artwork depicting the movement of the Australian Wattlebird, the project brings together art, memory, and built form to create a garden that feels both symbolic and experiential.
The design centres on a curved seating form that wraps around a stone-paved gathering space and fire feature, establishing a strong foundation for connection and interaction. Surrounding layers of planting create enclosure and softness, shaping a space that offers comfort, privacy, and retreat. This reflects a considered approach to outdoor living space design, where the emotional experience of the space is as important as its physical structure.
Material selection and composition are guided by repetition and rhythm, with textures, shapes, and colour working together to create balance and cohesion. The result aligns with modern garden aesthetics, while still maintaining a strong narrative rooted in the original artwork.
Delivered in a complex international environment, the project required adaptability across language, materials, and construction methods. Despite these challenges, the final outcome demonstrates the strength of professional backyard planning and execution, bringing a conceptual design to life under pressure.
The result is a landscape that connects art and place, recognised on a global stage for its clarity, creativity, and ability to bring people together.
