The Bin Bar Garden came about because my front garden was doing what most front gardens do – nothing much. Also my rubbish bins were taking up too much space in the back garden
PLUS I could not believe that my streeetscape had not been given a major overhaul in the last 10 years by my local Council (City of Darebin). An upgrade is proposed in the next 10 years. No way hozay!!
I’ll do my own bluddy streetscape improvement program thank you.
And while I am at it I am also going to provide a place that will allow neighbours to meet. Surely I can improve on our closest community space – the archetypal lifeless pocket park located around the corner, over a major road and around another corner.
For further design explanation check out my previous posts on the garden clocks. If you want to know a bit about the design process check out my last blog on demolition of a 1950s garden wall.
DESIGN VERDICT
Whilst I think the design improves the streetscape I am aware that not all would agree.
Notwithstanding the design has certainly made people stop, knock on the door, chat, wave to me as I sit working in the front room. Really they are amazed by the wall planters or vertical gardens (built using Woolly Pockets)
BUT there has also been two spontaneous gatherings (of 4-5 people) since its build last month – and they were nothing to do with me.
Last Friday morning my friend Janoel Liddy (the photographer) and I hung out in the garden for 40 mins – in that time we had four passerby guests into our space. We both thought that was pretty good? Its just a residential street.
While a garden design will not create a community it can certainly facilitate happy happenings and silly pop-up events.
What I found interesting is that the landscape contractor’s next job (Daniel from Garden Outdoor Design) also involved constructing a community decking/seating area in the front garden.
Really what are suburbian front gardens about? Surely we should be striving for something other than hectares of stupidness?
I remember when I had a tiny front garden in Brooklyn. Almost every time I worked in it, people would stop by to chat. This is a great idea for creating the opportunity for community on the street. You’ve taken it several steps further.
yes – being out the front gardening certainly provides informal opportunities to chat – less intimidating than knocking on a door…thanks for your comments James
What a delightful and creative idea. I have been having this dream since we purchased our super lawn heavy home last October. Huge front lawn! I keep thinking how fun it would be do go Natives and add benches and a roundtable and chairs out front and see if the neighbors and peeps walking their dogs begin to hang out a bit.
This yard has really inspired me. Now if I could just win the lottery to get it started!
Love me some Brits!
Hey Julia – whether you think this is expensive i dont know – it cost $5,000 Aus to demolish existing, remove rubbish, level, build bar, fix drainage, build letter box, install, saw cut existing concrete to reduce concrete mass, deliver and install granitic sand and prepare a base to prevent sinking …, .there were a few other things as well…..plants and woolly pockets not included
This is way too cool. Love it!!!!
hey thanks laura
Love it!!!! If only we had front lawns here in San Francisco…
This is a fantastic idea! I love the way you cut the driveway to reduce the concrete. Its got me sitting here thinking about how to accomplish this w/ my MASSIVE driveway. The runoff from it floods the yard every year. Thanks for posting!
hey thanks Megan
Daniel – yes forgot to talk about the saw cutting concrete – a good way to improve permeability – if you look at the 6th photo (back of bin bar) you will see some rocks with an upright sedge – that is a juncus which is planted into a pit drain – you need to be careful about planting straight into a drain – a plant may clog your drain and cause flood in mass downpour (but this drain was not really needed so I figured it would not matter if it failed) – really i should have increased the size of the catchment area – and only allowed overflow water into the drain – oh but that is another design excercise all together
Community community community!! Its fantastic. Can i join you for a beer at the bar?
Great concept, Can imagine replacing city terraces’ little concrete squares . What are the woolly pockets?
Thanks Margaret – for more information on the Woolly Pockets please refer to http://www.gardenbeet.com/woolly-pocket.html
What delight Felicity! a living Living Room, with the sky the Roof and the carpet the Watewr Catcher: the Front Door wide open to the community to sww the Vase of plants – Thanks you for shareing your instructions on how to create this inspiration..
hey thanks cath – drop bye – front room for lamingtons and beer