FEATURED PROJECT | Toorak
In the leafy heart of Toorak, one of Melbourne’s most exclusive residential pockets, a striking collaboration between NBLA and Travis Walton Architecture has redefined what it means to live within a landscape. This multi-level landscape design celebrates the steep sloping block giving it sophistication and enhanced functionality.
At first glance, the project reveals itself through a series of cascading terraces, each with its own identity yet unified by a restrained material palette. The design takes full advantage of the site’s natural fall, transforming what could have been a constraint into its defining feature.
Travertine clad planes extend outward from the architecture, creating platforms that step gently down toward the pool. The large format pavers and tiles are softened by lush planting, layered shrubs, and mature trees, providing balance between precision and organic growth.
Each level serves a distinct purpose. The upper terrace, directly connected to the home’s interior, acts as an outdoor living room. A steel pergola with climbing plantings creates a space for quiet retreat and intimate gatherings.
Below, the design culminates in a serene pool and spa. The infinity edge is crisp and architectural, yet the surrounding planting softens its presence, embedding it within the broader garden narrative.
At the lowest level, a travertine paved firepit with floating burnished concrete seat, sits adjacent to an open lawn area.
A limited palette of materials anchors the design. This restraint allows the planting to take centre stage, where textures and tones shift throughout the seasons. Dense hedging provides privacy without the need for heavy built elements. The result is a landscape that feels both structured and alive.
What sets this project apart is the seamless integration between the architecture and the landscape. Travis Walton Architecture establishes a strong, modern framework, while NBLA responds with a landscape that both complements and softens it.
This Toorak project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration. By aligning architectural clarity with landscape sensitivity, NBLA and Travis Walton Architecture have created a space that is not only visually striking but deeply liveable.