The Grounds. Braddon, Canberra
Balcony Size: 60m²
Price guide: <$80,000
Installation time: 15 days.
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Having moved into their apartment with expectations of outdoor living, the clients soon discovered it was consistently battered by harsh winds. Their initial vision for how they would use the balcony had to be reimagined.
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What was meant to be a private retreat became an eyesore. Past attempts at styling the balcony had been thwarted—pots had been blown over and smashed.
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The design process began by reframing the balcony’s purpose: recognising the wind as a dominant element and working with it.
Rather than a space to inhabit, we reimagined the balcony as a space to observe—a living artwork that brings the feeling of nature into the home and invites wildlife back into their lives. After all, they had spent most of their lives in houses with in-ground gardens and were used to the birds and insects that came with them.
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The clients loved most of their outlook but disliked the immediate foreground. The garden was designed to soften this area without obstructing the broader view—across Braddon and toward Mount Ainslie.
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Shots from the install.
3D modelling components
Shop fabrication
Assembly on site
Growing medium in
Planting
Given the wind exposure and the couple’s low-maintenance preference, a resilient plant palette was selected. A playful mix of native and exotic species—including Salvia, Lavender, and Rosemary—was chosen for its beauty, biodiversity, and utility in the kitchen.
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All plants were installed as small specimens, rather than advanced stock, giving them time to adapt to the site’s conditions. Starting small allows the plants to anchor their roots deeply before being fully exposed to wind stress. Everyone involved is eager to see whether the plants will develop the windswept forms often found on coastal cliffs.​​
​​​​​While the balcony appears visually light, it is structurally rated to support 15 tonnes of weight, evenly distributed. Our installation involved just over 4 tonnes of material—all carefully weighed before being brought up to the apartment.
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During their time living overseas, the couple had collected a pair of pots from Lombok. One had already been destroyed by the wind. The surviving pot was incorporated into the design as an interesting feature. Rather than filling it with water—which would have added unnecessary weight—we created an illusion: the pot appears full and gently overflowing. In reality, it’s hollow and just heavy enough to stay grounded in the wind.
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A water feature was integrated into the garden to introduce sound, movement, and a water source for birds. It’s automatically topped up by the balcony’s irrigation system.
The irrigation lines are hidden beneath the tiled surface, with maintenance access available by lifting a single tile. The system is managed via Bluetooth and can be controlled easily through a smartphone app.
To support healthy plant growth, we installed an inline liquid fertiliser dispenser. This allows the clients to refill a fertiliser bottle monthly—we alternate between Seasol and Charlie Carp, an organic fertiliser made from the invasive carp species that damages Australian waterways. It’s optional but effective.
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All irrigation components are hidden from view, preserving the clean lines of the balcony.
Copper spike lights were installed throughout the garden to gently illuminate plants and lichen-covered rocks at night. The lights turn on automatically just before sunset and switch off around bedtime. Over time, the copper will develop a natural patina, blending into the garden’s palette.
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For the calmer moments, we included benches made from recycled hardwood supplied by Thor’s Hammer. These are nestled into quiet corners of the garden. The timber has been left to grey naturally, softening into muted tones that match the planter and surrounding elements. It requires no oiling and will protect itself over time. This ensures the plants remain the visual focus.
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The day we planted, new birds began to arrive—Peewees and Magpies that had never visited the balcony before. Bees soon followed, discovering the flowers high above the city.
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The clients were amazed: “How do they know it’s up here?”
Sunset - 80% complete
Daytime walk around
Complete post-wash