Central to the planning and restoration of our former stable block to create working studios was the re-landscaping of the stable yard. Creating a calm and sensual space to bring visitors to and a place for quiet contemplation was pivotal to the overall design. Also, having installed water in the studios, there was a practical need to run waste water away from the yard and into an old well in as clean a state as possible. The solution came in the form of an elaborate sump and rill system, designed to allow the heavy clay and glaze particles to separate out before reaching the well. First, the waste water falls into a large reclaimed stone trough where the majority of clay particles settle before it cascades into the overground rill. A set of three interlocking circles fill the yard, echoing the aesthetic of my work. The ceramic rill runs through the central circle, a sweet smelling and rich green camomile lawn surrounding a pool of deep blue glass. Finally the water disappears into a subterranean chamber under a large rock. Nestling against the lawn is a circular stone seat, built from our local forest marble, providing a magical spot in which to gather together or to sit and muse.
This is how it all started
Buildings have been made good and the foundations are in for a seat
Two small boys fulfilling their dream to work with the construction team
The reclaimed stone trough arrives
The plants go in ... Just blue and white flowering to echo the colours of the rill. An exciting moment for me
My ceramic rill being installed
The sculptural fans of blue irises with a fan-trained Victoria plum tree as their backdrop
The Camomile Lawn is now established into plump, green cushions
Details of the rill...
I never thought a drain could look this good!
Glinting water
