Cashmere Garden

Perched high on a sun-drenched hillside in Cashmere, Christchurch, this garden feels like a natural extension of its contemporary family home.

Designed for a young family who love outdoor living, the landscape unfolds in a series of inviting spaces — sheltered courtyards, a terraced deck, and a luxurious swimming pool — each positioned to maximise comfort and frame sweeping views of the Port Hills.

Below the home and pool, a lush lawn is embraced by soft, billowing plantings that sway gently in the breeze. A refined yet grounded material palette ties the garden seamlessly to the architecture while echoing the rugged beauty of its hillside setting. A bubbling water feature brings a sense of calm, while raised vegetable planters, tucked neatly into the slope near the kitchen, add practicality and charm.

From the outset, seamless integration between house and garden was key. Terraced decking leads naturally down to the pool, and the fencing — set discreetly below pool level — preserves uninterrupted sightlines to the Port Hills while meeting all safety and building code requirements.

Collaborators: