Social Garden
Dublin Period Home • No Side Access • Suburban Setting
Designer
Barry Murphy
GreenTouch Advisory
Contractor
RDC Paving & GreenTouch
Project Size
130 M2
Value
€30 K - €35 K
Delivery
Phased Build
Project costs vary depending on timing and market conditions.
Enviromental Context
Orientation
North Facing
Ground Conditions
Sandy soil
Exposure
Sheltered
Microclimate
Neutral
Design Approach
This garden needed to feel open and usable for everyday family life while also creating structure and privacy within a suburban setting.
✓ Pathway connecting house to end of garden
✓ Summer flowering planting scheme
✓ Timber pergola with retractable canvas cover
✓ New paving matched to existing patio
✓ Refurbished shed and walls in unified colour
BEFORE AFTER
How the design evolved
Reworking the layout
The garden was reshaped to connect naturally with the house, improving flow and usability.
Working within budget
Existing paving was retained and refreshed, upgrading the layout without unnecessary spend.
Lower terrace & materials
A new patio area was introduced to form a defined lower seating space, with paving selected to match as closely as possible to the existing upper terrace.
Outdoor living and reuse
The space was designed around the client’s existing setup, retaining their kettle barbecue and existing garden furniture, including dining and lounge seating.
Creating a usable outdoor space
A pergola with a retractable canvas cover allows the space to be used comfortably in both sun and rain.
Evening use and lighting
Festoon lighting and subtle garden lighting extend the use of the space into the evening, creating a relaxed and practical setting.
Planting strategy
For a keen gardener, planting delivers summer colour while maintaining structure and winter interest in this north facing garden. Existing planting was retained and selectively transplanted where possible, building on what was already working. Planting was carefully selected to be non toxic, ensuring the garden is safe for the family dog.
Softening the extension
At the client’s request, trough planters with evergreen jasmine were added above the sliding doors to soften the rendered concrete, bringing seasonal scent and subtle screening without dominating the garden view.
