The Tropics Project
Creating a lush urban escape through layered planting, bold structure and immersive design.
This concept was developed for a townhouse garden with an ambitious brief: to create a lush, tropical retreat that felt immersive, private, and enjoyable throughout the year.
One of the project's biggest challenges was the garden's north-facing aspect. By embracing the site's natural change in levels, the design creates two distinct garden rooms, drawing visitors from a bright upper terrace into a secluded sunken oasis below. Positioning the main seating area at the rear of the garden maximises available sunlight while enhancing the feeling of escape from the surrounding urban environment.
The planting scheme focuses on bold foliage, layered textures, and evergreen structure, combining hardy tropical-style species with seasonal bursts of colour. Existing features, including a Tibetan cherry tree, were retained and incorporated into the design as focal points, while practical elements such as the shed and oil tank were carefully screened within the planting. The result is a contemporary urban garden that feels immersive and atmospheric; a space where strong architectural lines meet rich planting to create a calm and distinctive retreat in the heart of the city...
