Jinka Falls

Designed and established: 2022/23

Location: Hawker, ACT

The backstory: Our clients requested a garden that would evoke nostalgia for the places in which they grew up. This courtyard garden was inspired by the landscapes of the Snowy Mountains. Imagine swimming in a cool creek, and drying off in the grasses of alpine meadows, holding hands and falling in love.

Brief: Maximise space and possible garden area in a small, established courtyard. Attract birds, bees, frogs and wildlife and embed a permaculture philosophy in this space. Incorporate existing, large trees and encourage growth in established trees and shrubs. Apply a lush, dense planting plan with a preference for natives. Permission to remove landscaping and plants that are incongruent with design. Connect indoor and outdoor spaces and, integrate flowing water.

Size: ~150SQM.

Output: Thoughtful design that allows for playful, poetic and responsive curation and determination to draw abundance into a small space. The team delivered two ponds connected by a small brook, with soft, native, planting that encourages frogs, bees and wildlife. The unfolding, and detailed design encourages intimacy between the home and garden, creating space for discovery and slowing down.