Sutton Rainwater Garden
This communal garden for an HMO was designed with durability, simplicity and year-round resilience at its core. The client needed a low-maintenance landscape that would stay attractive without relying on residents for watering or upkeep. The solution was a rainwater-led design that transforms a previously unused side space into a functional, environmentally responsive garden.
By working with the existing storm-water network, the layout now incorporates a subtle rain garden system that captures, slows and disperses runoff through the planting beds. This allows the garden to irrigate itself during rainfall, reducing maintenance and supporting healthier, more resilient planting. Permeable paving and recessed planting pockets improve drainage while softening the linear geometry of the narrow plot.
The result is a calm, elegant communal space that is welcoming yet minimal in its demands. Structured pathways, robust planting and considered planters create a garden that meets the practical needs of an HMO while enhancing residents’ well-being. The Sutton Rainwater Garden shows how sustainable water management can be seamlessly integrated into compact urban spaces, turning functional necessity into thoughtful design.
