Float Garden

Designed by Jack Merlo, the Fleming's Nurseries 'Float' Garden is an adaptation of an award-winning design, judged 'Best in Show' at the 2004 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Design Objectives

The intent was to create a sense of mystique within a contemporary and functional urban environment. As a modern interpretation of the Australian landscape, 'Float' playfully challenges assumptions about what is possible and practical in an outdoor setting.

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Design Description

'Float' is defined by a dramatic, curved, wooden deck and integrated lap pool that floats above the landscape to give a whimsical aspect. Shadow lines enhance the appearance of floating and the reflective qualities of the pool's black interior mirror the surrounding landscape. The dark pool merges seamlessly with a water feature to produce an effect of an extended horizon.

The outdoor lounge room feel is achieved by the curving deck, a backdrop hedge forming another wall, and a patterned pergola that creates a decorative ceiling and provides shifting shadow detail throughout the day. A key element of 'Float' is the simplicity of the design and the integrated nature of all its features which, combined, give the space a sense of enclosure and intimacy.

Lighting is an important element of the design, and has been incorporated to extend the usable hours of the garden while enhancing its aesthetic appeal by night. The pendant light was designed to be fully weather-proof and allow intimate lounge lighting into an outdoor setting.

Minimalist, burnt orange furniture pieces were chosen for both their design aesthetic, strong contrasting colour and practicality (they resist salt, chlorine, UV light and fungus).

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Planting Theme

Plants were selected carefully to form part of the overall concept, acting not only as ornamentation but offering dimensional height for screening. By obscuring specific views, we provided both a sense of intimacy and focus to desirable vistas within the space.

The copse planting of upright trees in the planter at the foreground of the exhibit provides structure and magnificent scale to form the highest element in the display. This assists in breaking up and softening the hard lines of the structure behind, while fashioning various perspectives to the landscape contained within.

A backdrop hedge provides a dense, dark screen to form the third 'wall' of the main deck area, while other plants provide sculptural foliage and flowering interest for all seasons. On the whole, plants were specified for both their texture and colour to moderate the space or, as in the foreground, to add elements of height and rhythm.

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