This project caught the eye of the judges in the 2010 Landscaping New Zealand awards program. This southern lifestyle block impressed the judges so much it was the supreme winner for 2010 of Landscape of the year. The brief for the project was to create a landscape which nestled the house into the landscape in the same way that a mai mai did.

The project features a range of natural products such as brush screening, gabion baskets, rock placement, and vertical timber sleepers. The mainly indigenous planting is sensitively patterned, using large and small species to match the scale. A standout feature is the masses tussock which clearly provides the desired mountain atmosphere. The clever mix of natives and exotics was beautifully planted and of outstanding quality.

A stunning design entirely appropriate to its southern setting. The design wraps around a new building and contains an innovative mix of materials and structures to create a series of linked but distinct garden rooms which have direct connection to the interior of the house though large windows. An interesting and cleaver use of gab ions, sleepers and play on levels (though retaining and mounding) has transformed a flat site into a garden with a truly New Zealand flavour. The inspired mix of native and exotic plant palette further completes the design. Every detail has been considered and is evident in the final product which has a seamless and comfortable character that is hard to leave.