Our world is changing in unexpected ways as we come to grips with global pandemic and begin to imagine life beyond it. One of those changes is in our revaluing of nature—stuck indoors for weeks on end has increased our appreciation and desire for outdoor spaces that are both safe and reinvigorating.

Matt Coggan, director of Turf Design Studio and responsible for the landscape architecture at Denvell Group’s Babylon, is seeing a surge of interest in his company’s services.

“I feel that COVID-19 has increased activity in our industry significantly,” he says. “And some new trends are emerging that will alter how we think about outdoor spaces in multi-residential developments.”

One key trend Coggan thinks purchasers will look for in the future is doorstep convenience.

“The value of having open space right on your doorstep was made particularly evident during lockdown restrictions,” he explains. “When people were discouraged from travelling beyond their local area, it really highlighted areas that lacked quality open space.”

At Babylon, Turf Design Studio’s vision was to provide lush oases inspired by history and the natural world, much like its inspiration, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Our world is changing in unexpected ways as we come to grips with global pandemic and begin to imagine life beyond it. One of those changes is in our revaluing of nature—stuck indoors for weeks on end has increased our appreciation and desire for outdoor spaces that are both safe and reinvigorating.

All the features we currently see in a traditional suburban backyard or public park are now considered essential elements of today’s multi-residential developments. Private gardens, working from home, parent’s retreats, playable landscapes (including water play), outdoor kitchens, kitchen gardens, and provision for exercising pets are the new normal in landscape architecture.

“All the large scale residential and mixed-use projects I’m currently working on are exploring these issues and working to address them in a way that caters for the needs of today while remaining adaptable enough for future unexpected changes.

“We designed Babylon to give people and families an ‘enriching living experience,’ the kind of lifestyle you’d expect from a traditional house in an established suburb,” says Coggan. “The lush tropical landscape will have vegetation cascading from walls and facades, just like its namesake, with flowing water, stone textures and artworks.”

For residents, a series of verdant private courtyards along the northern boundaries present unmatched outdoor amenities and passive recreation opportunities as an armature of their indoor living spaces. Designed as tranquil private sanctuaries, they’ll feature hard and soft landscape elements, with careful consideration taken to incorporate fixed furniture and seating into planter walls, and places to add loose furniture to suit residents’ lifestyles.

“The courtyard gardens will not only be verdant landscape spaces to be viewed from inside residents’ homes but also spaces for them to garden and relax,” explains Coggan.

“Great developers have always understood the immense value of public domain and landscape and work to create it in areas that have limited access to open space, either on-site or as a Council contribution on public land. It’s a win/win—it increases development property values and improves amenity for the community.”

Another emerging key consideration for multi-residential design is creating innovative spaces for pets, particularly dogs.

“Landscape architects now need to make sure we don’t forget these important family members in the design process. I see areas with circuit routes and open lawn areas for exercise becoming increasingly sought after,” he explains

“Communal landscapes are the new ‘backyard’ for multi-residential developments,” Coggan says. “They need to provide connection and flexibility with a microclimate that optimises their success, including solar access, wind, weather protection, and so forth.”

“Because, if there’s one thing pandemic has taught us, it’s to prepare for the unexpected,” he says.

Branko Miletic

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