The Rambunctious Garden
Location: Victoria (VIC)
Size: 320 sqm
Status: Concept Design Complete
The Challenge
This garden needed to support the full rhythm of family life. Set within the coastal landscape of Victoria, the space had to cope with kids, pets, gatherings and long periods of low attention. The owners wanted something that felt unmistakably Australian while still being robust and forgiving in daily use. The challenge was to create a garden that could handle constant activity while still feeling calm and generous.
A courtyard surrounded by native plants and made from hard wearing surfaces
The Gramina Response
The design organises the garden into two clear zones. The eastern courtyard becomes the primary outdoor living space, structured with durable surfaces and a timber deck beneath an upgraded shade structure. Productive planting expands into a compact food forest on one side while a flexible gravel courtyard supports gatherings and play on the other. Beyond this, the rest of the site becomes a surrounding natural garden with resilient coastal planting.
Natural stone and materials around the house edge
A pocket herb garden in the courtyard space
The Garden Now
The garden functions as a contained outdoor environment where daily life can unfold easily. Children move freely through paths and planted spaces while adults gather in the central courtyard. Gravel, timber and stone provide surfaces robust enough for constant use. The result is a lively, hardworking garden that remains grounded, practical and full of life.
Concept Plan - A new deck, lawn and garden that wraps around the existing home
A small nature play area for children tucked away in the garden
Local coastal plants and an overall muted palette