palmerston avenue

renovation | dundarave

Tucked at the end of a quiet street and flanked by a vigorous stream, this remarkable property is the work of Canada’s most iconic architect, Arthur Erickson. Around a beautiful, recently updated heritage house, traditional gardens boast mature rhododendrons and flowering trees, a pond and an expansive lawn. In the back, however, the steep terrain laid bare until our recent intervention.

In collaboration with architects Battersby Howat and our usual trusted trades, we transformed a large unusable space into an informal terraced vegetable garden. Here, skinny Corten-clad planters define a zigzag gravel path, a patio of local basalt pavers offer sunshine and a view over the nearby stream, and mixed sun-loving perennials and grasses dress-up the remaining sloped grounds.

Working on such storied grounds is as much an honour as it is a challenge. with our garden interventions, we always strive to respect the genius of the place, and yet keep up with the times.