Taylors Bay by Secret Gardens is a late Federation home in Sydney, NSW, that has undergone a substantial renovation to both the residence and its surrounding landscape, carefully reshaping how the home connects with its coastal setting. The project focused not only on improving the functionality of the house itself but also on redefining the relationship between architecture, garden and views. Rather than approaching the landscape as a separate component, the design treats the home and garden as part of a unified environment where built form and planting work together to frame movement, outlook and everyday living.
The front façade and connecting layered gardens provide a striking introduction to the Taylors Bay residence, offering a preview of what to expect from the property. Creating a clear sense of arrival was a key focus of the landscape intervention. Previously lacking clarity, the entry sequence is now defined by hedges and an abundance of greenery that clearly delineates the pedestrian entry from the driveway. The off-form finish introduces subtle texture and depth, giving the concrete a tactile quality that sits comfortably alongside the character of the Federation façade. A half-turn staircase leading to the main door is lined with lush, layered planting, creating a welcoming and immersive approach.
The planting in the garden was designed to balance softness with structure. The loose, layered foliage forms soften the harsh lines of the concrete pathways and terraces. It adds movement and seasonal variation to the landscape. The boundaries of the property are softened by the foliage of different varieties of hedge species, providing a solid backdrop to the garden. The result is a vibrant utopia, bringing richness and visual interest to the outdoor spaces.
While the front garden focuses on arrival, the rear garden was designed to support everyday living and outdoor entertaining. Clean, simple lines create a calm framework that allows the architecture of the house to remain prominent while organising outdoor activity.
Sitting at the centre of the garden is a grand pergola, making it a focal point of the main outdoor living space. The structure forms an alfresco that extends from the interior living area, creating a shaded open space for dining, relaxation, and gatherings.
Anchoring the outdoor cooking area is a built-in BBQ and planter structure that blends seamlessly with the surrounding design language. The structure forms part of the garden composition, creating a natural continuation of the relationship between built form and planting.
This feature is also framed by a mature Phoenix Palm. This is easily the garden’s most distinctive element. The planter wraps around the base of the tree, allowing its dramatic height and canopy to become a focal point within the backyard.
From the rooftop level, expansive views stretch across Taylors Bay, firmly anchoring the home within its coastal context. The landscape design responds to these outlooks through a restrained palette of materials and planting that allows the harbour scenery to remain the focal point.
Rather than competing with the surrounding landscape, the garden acts as a foreground that gently frames the water beyond. This approach strengthens the connection between architecture and environment, reinforcing the sense of place experienced throughout the property.
Through a thoughtful integration of architecture and landscape, the renovation reimagines how the home functions while subtly refreshing its overall character. The project strengthens the connection between the residence, its gardens, and the surrounding coastal environment, creating spaces that support everyday living as well as moments of gathering and relaxation. By carefully balancing contemporary interventions with respect for the original Federation home, the design ensures the property will continue to sit comfortably within its neighbourhood while offering a timeless setting for the years ahead.
To learn more about the Taylors Bay project, visit the Secret Gardens profile on CO-architecture, where you can explore additional projects such as Bracken and learn more about the studio’s landscape design approach.
PROJECT DETAILS
Location: Clifton Gardens, NSW
Landscape Architecture: Secret Gardens
Architecture: James Design Studio
Interiors: Hare and Klein
Builder: Sandlik
Taylors Bay by Secret Gardens. Photography by Nicholas Watt.
