Small is beautiful, Andrew Wilson
Northern Green: January 2018
Small is beautiful, Andrew Wilson
Introduction In some ways I’m not the obvious choice to talk about small gardens. I like space and the ability to exploit and manipulate that space. The good news is that firstly I therefore rise to the challenge of a small garden and that secondly and somewhat hopefully I think you have the right speaker. I love this image – actually a promotion for a planting product - the “bacsac” – a garden that goes with you when you move house or apartment.
Good things come in small packages Andrew Wilson as a choirboy aged 7 years old. Andrew’s mother at 78 climbing on the back of his 1000cc motorbike for a thrill ride, but needing the stepping stool to do so!
What is small? A garden in a tin can or an egg? Gardens in miniature containers? It is of course a relative term. 1
Belgravia garden In the studio this is our smallest yet at 3.5 x 4m
The Book of Plans for Small Gardens The smallest garden in my Book of Plans for Small Gardens is a tiny courtyard at 3.6 x 2.8m.
The first books In my research of small garden publications, I was astonished to find that the first book which looked at small gardens and used this descriptor in its title was published in America – the beguilingly titled “The Art of Beautifying Suburban Home Grounds of Small Extent” by Frank J Scott, published in 1870. The suburban target of the book makes much more sense, and in this way, probably Loudon’s “Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion” was the actual precursor and pioneer in 1838 – dealing with the diminishing size of gardens as population density increased. This writing was also really about the birth of the modern urban and suburban garden, the democratisation of garden ownership and the continuing question as to what to do with these small spaces called gardens. Given the era, the obvious answer then was to plant them and this idea really persisted.
Small Gardens in literature Small gardens later became big business with regular revisits across the twentieth century and into the C21. Many garden magazines still improve their monthly sales figures by featuring small gardens. My own Small Gardens Handbook for the RHS has become a best seller.
Common issues There are many issues that come with smaller spaces such as shade and the lack of privacy. But for many of us it is the issue of scale that is the main enemy. We tend to miniaturise everything so we can pack more in when we need to maintain the normal scale to allow the garden to be usable. Many designers increase scale to create drama and to simplify the garden as a result. Mass – planting volume and Void, empty space need to be balanced in all gardens but especially where space is at a premium. 2
Large garden brief Most wanted: Sun terrace, Dining area, Storage shed, Productive garden, Greenhouse, Compost, Pool, Play area, Privacy/screening, Gazebo
Small garden brief Most wanted: Sun terrace, Dining area, Storage shed, Productive garden, Greenhouse, Compost, Pool, Play area, Privacy/screening, Gazebo We all need to prioritise!
Designers around the world The issue of small gardens is a worldwide issue as all countries now have major urban centres bringing high density living and pressure on space.
Wilson McWilliam Studio – a small London garden This commission was for a rear garden space approximately 7 x 6m. The garden was a complete mess when we first came to meet the client who wanted a densely planted cottage garden. The various functions and uses required soon meant that a different garden was required and a simple, spacious paved area with a large outdoor fireplace and projection screen was the result. Planting is simple and minimal. 3 years later and with an expanding family we returned to the client to rip out the garden as they were creating a basement beneath. The new garden simplified further but with bespoke elements. The front garden was also included at this stage.
Small garden selection All designers tend to simplify their ideas in order to maximise impact but also to deliver privacy and comfort. Wilson McWilliam Studio, Luciano Giubbilei, Shirley Watts, Tom Stuart Smith, James Aldridge.
Show gardens In the UK – most of our garden shows feature small gardens which allow people to explore ideas and options. All feature well scaled planting and architectural elements, clever storage and social spaces.
3
Singapore Both Gavin McWilliam and I have explored the concept of show gardens both in the UK and in Singapore which struggles with population density but also a need to balance the environment. There the government provides financial incentives to plant their major new buildings and so we followed their lead. (Park Royal Hotel featured)
Sacred Grove The show garden Sacred Grove was the result – a two storey garden with absorbent planting above and a quiet, shaded courtyard below. A sky lens in the middle of the planted roof allows water to drop down into the reflecting pool below. The roof planting is a grove of Shizolobium parahyba under planted with a tropical take on the English meadow.
Pressure on space The pressure on our urban spaces in the UK has also brought about a different phenomenon in the form of communal or community gardens. Here, gardeners or horticulturists use available public green space to grow crops, fruit, vegetables or even cut flowers for everyone to use. In the north of England Incredible Edible is one such initiative. In London, the Edible Bus Stop does a similar thing and on floating barge homes on the River Thames a small community uses the roof space on each vessel for growing herbs and produce. The sense that we can’t do everything in our diminishing private gardens is producing a more shared environment and causing us to think again about how we use our urban spaces. Andrew Wilson, Wilson McWilliam Studio, www.wmstudio.co.uk
4
Small is beautiful, Andrew Wilson
Introduction In some ways I’m not the obvious choice to talk about small gardens. I like space and the ability to exploit and manipulate that space. The good news is that firstly I therefore rise to the challenge of a small garden and that secondly and somewhat hopefully I think you have the right speaker. I love this image – actually a promotion for a planting product - the “bacsac” – a garden that goes with you when you move house or apartment.
Good things come in small packages Andrew Wilson as a choirboy aged 7 years old. Andrew’s mother at 78 climbing on the back of his 1000cc motorbike for a thrill ride, but needing the stepping stool to do so!
What is small? A garden in a tin can or an egg? Gardens in miniature containers? It is of course a relative term. 1
Belgravia garden In the studio this is our smallest yet at 3.5 x 4m
The Book of Plans for Small Gardens The smallest garden in my Book of Plans for Small Gardens is a tiny courtyard at 3.6 x 2.8m.
The first books In my research of small garden publications, I was astonished to find that the first book which looked at small gardens and used this descriptor in its title was published in America – the beguilingly titled “The Art of Beautifying Suburban Home Grounds of Small Extent” by Frank J Scott, published in 1870. The suburban target of the book makes much more sense, and in this way, probably Loudon’s “Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion” was the actual precursor and pioneer in 1838 – dealing with the diminishing size of gardens as population density increased. This writing was also really about the birth of the modern urban and suburban garden, the democratisation of garden ownership and the continuing question as to what to do with these small spaces called gardens. Given the era, the obvious answer then was to plant them and this idea really persisted.
Small Gardens in literature Small gardens later became big business with regular revisits across the twentieth century and into the C21. Many garden magazines still improve their monthly sales figures by featuring small gardens. My own Small Gardens Handbook for the RHS has become a best seller.
Common issues There are many issues that come with smaller spaces such as shade and the lack of privacy. But for many of us it is the issue of scale that is the main enemy. We tend to miniaturise everything so we can pack more in when we need to maintain the normal scale to allow the garden to be usable. Many designers increase scale to create drama and to simplify the garden as a result. Mass – planting volume and Void, empty space need to be balanced in all gardens but especially where space is at a premium. 2
Large garden brief Most wanted: Sun terrace, Dining area, Storage shed, Productive garden, Greenhouse, Compost, Pool, Play area, Privacy/screening, Gazebo
Small garden brief Most wanted: Sun terrace, Dining area, Storage shed, Productive garden, Greenhouse, Compost, Pool, Play area, Privacy/screening, Gazebo We all need to prioritise!
Designers around the world The issue of small gardens is a worldwide issue as all countries now have major urban centres bringing high density living and pressure on space.
Wilson McWilliam Studio – a small London garden This commission was for a rear garden space approximately 7 x 6m. The garden was a complete mess when we first came to meet the client who wanted a densely planted cottage garden. The various functions and uses required soon meant that a different garden was required and a simple, spacious paved area with a large outdoor fireplace and projection screen was the result. Planting is simple and minimal. 3 years later and with an expanding family we returned to the client to rip out the garden as they were creating a basement beneath. The new garden simplified further but with bespoke elements. The front garden was also included at this stage.
Small garden selection All designers tend to simplify their ideas in order to maximise impact but also to deliver privacy and comfort. Wilson McWilliam Studio, Luciano Giubbilei, Shirley Watts, Tom Stuart Smith, James Aldridge.
Show gardens In the UK – most of our garden shows feature small gardens which allow people to explore ideas and options. All feature well scaled planting and architectural elements, clever storage and social spaces.
3
Singapore Both Gavin McWilliam and I have explored the concept of show gardens both in the UK and in Singapore which struggles with population density but also a need to balance the environment. There the government provides financial incentives to plant their major new buildings and so we followed their lead. (Park Royal Hotel featured)
Sacred Grove The show garden Sacred Grove was the result – a two storey garden with absorbent planting above and a quiet, shaded courtyard below. A sky lens in the middle of the planted roof allows water to drop down into the reflecting pool below. The roof planting is a grove of Shizolobium parahyba under planted with a tropical take on the English meadow.
Pressure on space The pressure on our urban spaces in the UK has also brought about a different phenomenon in the form of communal or community gardens. Here, gardeners or horticulturists use available public green space to grow crops, fruit, vegetables or even cut flowers for everyone to use. In the north of England Incredible Edible is one such initiative. In London, the Edible Bus Stop does a similar thing and on floating barge homes on the River Thames a small community uses the roof space on each vessel for growing herbs and produce. The sense that we can’t do everything in our diminishing private gardens is producing a more shared environment and causing us to think again about how we use our urban spaces. Andrew Wilson, Wilson McWilliam Studio, www.wmstudio.co.uk
4
