The architects Munkenbeck & Marshall were commissioned to build a new house on the site of the Grade II-listed Stanmore Park Estate in North London, and they promptly approached RSA to advise on landscape planning, design and construction for this award winning new build.

The site was completely over-grown with stinging nettles, brambles and other invasive weeds. The woodland area needed clearing where trees had collapsed so these were chipped and kept on site. RSA wanted to balance the new garden with the existing grounds including the cedar trees and woodland. They also wanted to create a powerful effect using water to reflect the trees and sky.

The team designed a contemporary moat of interconnecting pools, balanced by the indoor-outdoor swimming pool at the other end of the building. They also recognise that the planting design should be relatively simple: a terrace area framed by a wall of sea grasses to create texture and movement to the landscape.