The man behind Sydney’s great gardens
It can be difficult to describe yourself and your passions when put on the spot. Landscape designer Adam Robinson doesn’t have such difficulty. “I am a lover of any type of outdoor adventure. Anything that is connected to nature,” he quips. “I thrive in transforming spaces. I’d like to say I’m a seeker, and a thinker.”
It’s this very self-awareness that led Adam to create his namesake design studio in 2011, with the simple yet important ambition of embracing our surrounds. In the 12 years since, Adam has grown an award-winning team who, among other accolades, are the current custodians of the ‘Landscaper of the Year’ award.
The team’s projects range from modest terrace escapes, to the palatial and the poolside, and can be found in some of Sydney’s most coveted suburbs from Bellevue Hill to Balmain, Paddington to Vaucluse and Drummoyne to Dover Heights. The team have also lent their skill to some of the city’s finest hotels, retail showrooms and restaurants (think: the lush Mediterranean meets Colonial-style surrounds of Sydney’s Intercontinental).
While each project is approached with a unique sensibility, there is a commonality that threads Adam’s projects together. “I strive for timeless designs using natural materials and enjoy designing spaces that are bespoke and well built. We want to avoid them needing to be updated due to changing trends in years to come,” he tells BresicWhitney from his Woollahra studio. “It’s about creating spaces that suit a client’s personality, style and needs, while helping them establish a deeper connection with nature. A sense of fun, and a lack of pretence, are also important to us.”
Adam adds that while outdoor trends come and go, they’re often not as fast moving as those in the fashion or interior design industries. He believes that despite this difference in pace, both our interior and exterior spaces deserve the same level of creativity and curation. “They are both areas that you will be living in, eating in, relaxing in, and entertaining in. It’s all about creating a wonderful lifestyle for yourself at home,” reflects Adam. It’s this belief that is perhaps what’s driven his collaborations with brands such as MCM House, Garden Life, Caesarstone and Harbour Outdoor in recent years.
While there isn’t much Adam hasn’t achieved over the last decade, he’s a humble and down-to-earth man who isn’t overly interested in talking about his success. What he is more – and perhaps most – fascinated with, is the spiritual-like, transformative power of outdoor spaces. “I am very aware that what we are creating for our clients is a living thing that will have a profound effect on their lives,” he says. “Gardens are very grounding spaces, they have so many therapeutic benefits.” Much like Adam’s daily meditation – a practice he finds peace, solace, and inspiration in.
An appreciation for the beauty and rarity of Australian flora and fauna, and the vulnerability of the global climate, also informs Adam’s work. “The preference we’re noticing of late is sort of evolving further towards arid gardens and championing our beautiful Australian native plants. I feel this is a direct response or an adaptation by Australians to living with Climate Change, and the effects of Global Warming on the planet.” He continues; “Even when not in drought we all need to realise that water is a finite resource and use it sparingly and responsibly, so our native plants are naturally drought tolerant and low maintenance. Plus, they are great for creating habitats for our native wildlife, birds, and insects,” he says passionately.
It’s not only those with large expanses of green who can both enjoy nature’s benefits, and have an impact, Adam confirms. “Growing an herb garden on a balcony or even a windowsill, for example, is a great way to connect to nature daily. Some people create interior jungles with indoor plants, and this is a great way to bring the life force of nature inside. The way I see it, there’s no real excuse not to be connecting to plants at home,” he explains.
For those who are blessed with ample space, Adam’s advice is to consider your overall ‘plant palette’ – meaning not only the type of plants you’re investing in, but an awareness of how they’ll evolve and complement one another in the future. Being mindful of how you can use your outdoor space after dark – and therefore get as much use out of it as possible – is also an important consideration. “Elements such as functional and decorative lighting, furniture and soft furnishings will help you do this. You want to be comfortable and cosy, and ensure that the outdoor space you’re building is not only a reflection of your personality and wants and needs, but is a destination points for friends and family to gather in. Firepits can be great additions, while features such as outdoor mirrors can also extend the depth of field.”
And if you’re after even more? “Upholstered furniture is the ultimate luxury addition to your outdoor space, with scatter cushions, and a suitable rug under bare feet. Bringing the opulent texture and pattern of beautiful fabrics, along with resort-style candle hurricanes and lanterns, go a long way in creating that exotic and high-end quality to your outdoor space,” he reveals.
All things considered, I’m curious how Adam’s ethos comes to life in his own Surry Hills home. “I bought the house due to its large outdoor space and abundant light. The interior will be very organic and naturalistic with authentic, earthy materials which will run seamlessly from the interior, out into the exterior. My design ethos will exemplify the garden style and I’m excited to squeeze in a plunge pool and palm tree to create my own little resort at home,” he concludes.
Now that’s as good a way as any to connect with nature.
Learn more about Adam Robinson Design.
Photography
Adam Robinson Portraits: BresicWhitney.
Dover Heights: Smartson.
Clovelly, Paddington, Woolwich: Brigid Arnott.
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