The terracing and step access to the space was achieved through the structural intervention of the retaining walls, a combination of rendered concrete blocks and dry-stacked local sandstone blocks. The use of two materials made the retaining walls less imposing and the contrast between the two added visual interest.
The new outdoor seating area, which is divided by a sandstone plinth, is very versatile and draws the owners out of the house, whether it’s to read the paper or a magazine or to simply sit in comfort while watching the kids. The fixed timber seating was constructed using merbau and features hinged lids that turn it into storage space for tucking yard toys and other items out of sight when they’re not needed.