Patrick was responsible for the wider landscape planning through to detailed design of the grounds around a classically Tuscan style villa set amongst mature trees with a spectacular outlook over Hawkes Bay. Expansive uninterrupted views are accompanied by the need for a sheltered and structured landscape. The design places an emphasis on enclosed courtyards, a walled scented garden, hedging and lavish plantings – mostly behind the homestead. The themed plantings, which were initiated well before building construction, are set amongst retained mature trees which contribute to the property’s’ well established feel. Dry stone walls front the property and edge the pool terrace and the courtyard fireplace. Substantial walls, pergolas and clear relationships between elements provide a good sense of permanence. These well defined spaces extend out from the house and lead off to tracks out across the property. The addition of a large waterfall and lake provides a welcome surprise and an elegant feature when viewed from several vantage points.

This hilltop home enjoys a wonderful outlook over the surrounding countryside towards Hawkes Bay. PCLA were responsible for all the planning and detailed design for the hard and soft landscape elements. An open loggia provides for alfresco cooking and outdoor dining that takes advantage of the spectacular view. The three outdoor rooms are protected from easterly breezes by an open fireplace and the sunken swimming pool is similarly sheltered.Through bifold doors the home spreads seamlessly out into the garden. Spacious lawns bring a relaxed feel to a landscape which is structured in layout. Water features at the front entrance and back courtyard restrict movement and define the gardens formal style. In the substantial vehicle court a personalised, giant star motif provides visitors with a taste of the owners artistic temperament.

This 100 acre site with stream and river frontage is defined by its exceptional topography. Proposals by PCLA included a new entrance, driveway access to two new house sites and extensive tree planting. Plans incorporated existing trees on the upper plateau and a long line of mature Lombardy Poplars. Planting proposals aimed to visually enhance the striking topography while defining spaces and land use (associated with either farm or homestead). The proposed principal house site and island/hill on the lower river terrace become the pivot around which views were reinforced across the farm and beyond to the adjacent countryside. Plantings are programmed well in advance of the proposed building design. Fencing and farm management are reorganised to sustain a design concept which considers the entire farm landscape.

This fourteen bedroom retreat was designed as a centrepiece to a thriving deer farm. A haha (hidden ditch/fence) means the grazing deer appear to roam freely around the complex without fences interrupting the view from the homestead. Mature trees from the earlier farm provide a backdrop to outdoor activity areas. PCLA designed a swimming pool and decking platform including ample space for fixed and freestanding tables, chairs and umbrellas.

From the Lodge style accommodation guests can spill out into generous outdoor areas where sweeping lawns merge with adjacent pasture. The proposal works as a family home, for social events and corporate functions. Visitors relax in a totally rural setting only an hour out of Auckland.

Pukenui Beach includes an 80 bach settlement Mahunga and our role was to prepare a further eight rural lots off Blakes Approach.  This included a landscape and visual assessment and design/detail for these Lots on a 19.15ha site south of the settlement.

This coastal zone subdivision included an Esplanade Reserve, ecological reserve, internal open space and several beach access routes.  Proposals incorporated concerns raised by local Tangata Whenua, supported by the Department of Conservation and iwi and approved by Wairoa District Council.

The overall masterplan proposes curved fencelines for this 60ha farm situated in a coastal valley north of Matakana.  Our design approach was to expand on and reinforce aspects of the local identity.  To do this we have merged seamlessly the steep escarpments/ridge line vegetation with restricted livestock pasture and protected watercourses.  Extended vegetation patterns around pasture still maintain an overriding sense of spaciousness and permeability.  The floodplain-stormwater alleviation included restored wetland ponds and stream beds, expanses of marginal grasses alongside domestic, exotic farm scale tree plantings that spread out from the homestead.  This approach includes integrating ecological restoration with balanced massed plantings blending lowland, mid ground, lower and upper slopes of the property.

Rusticated timber details outside dovetailed into the timber panelled interior with lodge style scale.  Future potential house lots offer exceptional coastal views – temporarily given over to ‘glamping’ venues on the ridge crest.  Circulation and planting will establish a network of routes around the property and an oval field is managed to host events on special occasions.  Much of the design is a form of reverse engineering in recontouring the land to accentuate its potential to recreate a resilient meadow landscape with pockets of pasture.  Organic forms predominate and wide sweeping swales and recontoured watercourses maintain open longer views over the property.

Patrick helped to develop plans for this new homestead, designed by Andy Coltart, and cut into a hillside site.  Earthworks extend a level circular lawn right around the house and provided a well-defined outline to the garden.  Smaller beds around the building along with a courtyard and pool area are well contained and fairly formal.  The wider gardens handle level change by wrapping around the level lawn and provide for informal plantings well clear of the new home.  The house elevation and clear straightforward setting enables wide sweeping views over the surrounding and distant landscape.

Patrick’s plans re-orientated the drive to the renovated/extended homestead with a new entrance and access route.  The drive now meanders across the property and rises up to an avenue arrival at the home.  The surrounds included extensive potager garden and pool enclosure and retains an open outlook to the north-east.  Broad planting plans are themed to frame views and reinforce a panoramic outlook.

The “Tui Project” in Ongaonga builds upon its hilltop setting for a magnificent extended family homestead designed by the late Napier architect Paris Magdalinos.  This elongated progression of rooms extends living spaces out into the surrounds with generous elegant lawns.  Patrick was instrumental in advocating a similarly structured landscape for the property.  Immaculate wide arcs of lawn reflect the rhythms of the building and promote an uncultured geometry.  The gardens extend along and around the stretched architecture forming a network of interlinking and some isolated outdoor rooms.  Formal and informal portions combine with Asian, Persian style and native bird attracting plantings.  These gardens benefit from an extensive water reticulation system and water feature elements to complement the grand scale of open countryside and distant mountain ranges.  The garden development is set against the distant mountains and big sky that this vantage point offers.