2025
Secret Garden
Western Springs
A secluded sanctuary in Western Springs blends narrative, nature, and a touch of mystery. Tucked away in Auckland’s Western Springs, this project reveals little from the street — but step beyond the garden path, and you’re transported into what we fondly call The Secret Garden. Inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved novel, the concept began with a desire to create a hidden oasis — a space that feels both personal and protected.
Early in the design process, the idea of secrecy evolved from metaphor into something more playful and literal. We translated the words Secret Garden into Morse code and used it as a laser-cut pattern for the pergola roof. This subtle detail casts delicate shadows and creates a beautiful interplay of light — a poetic nod to the name and narrative behind the space.
An established garden already flourished at the rear of the site, and we wanted to carry that lush, immersive feeling through to the front. A new pool and sheltered outdoor area were introduced, with planting woven into the design from the outset, so it feels like it’s always been there — an integral part of the experience.
To dissolve the proximity to the street, we introduced a soft layer of planting that precedes the fence, forming a natural buffer and setting a calming tone. The concrete shell of the pool extends on two sides to provide privacy, and these extensions are lined in green mosaic tiles — a textural reference to foliage, reinforcing the garden-like atmosphere and blurring the boundaries between built form and nature.
This project is about more than architecture — it’s about storytelling, sensory experience, and the quiet delight of discovering something unexpected.
A new pool and sheltered outdoor area were introduced, with planting woven into the design from the outset, so it feels like it’s always been there — an integral part of the experience.
