Garden & Landscape design
The Courtyard,Suffolk
A contemporary courtyard garden designed for a period property in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, transforming a compact outdoor space into a calm, multi-functional retreat.
The design blends reclaimed brickwork, corten detailing and textured limestone with soft, layered planting to create a sustainable garden that feels modern yet rooted in its historic setting.
Project type:
Private
Date: Current
Location: Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds
Set within a period property in Bury St Edmunds, this compact Suffolk courtyard was reimagined as a calm and contemporary outdoor retreat that still felt rooted in its historic surroundings. The brief centred around making a small space feel immersive and usable — somewhere to cook, entertain and relax — while embracing sustainable design and reclaimed materials.
introducing warmth and structure, while layered planting softens the geometry and allows the space to evolve over time. All without losing the quiet character of a period home garden.
Overview:
Client Story
The clients wanted their courtyard to become more than just a functional outside area — they imagined somewhere to cook, entertain and unwind while keeping a sense of calm day to day. Working with the existing boundaries and architectural character of the house, the design focused on creating flow between spaces without overcrowding the layout.
-
Key priorities
-
A calm, contemporary courtyard that still felt in keeping with the character of their Suffolk period home.
-
A flexible outdoor space for relaxing and entertaining, with clear areas for seating, dining and everyday use.
-
A sustainable design using reclaimed materials and soft planting to make a compact courtyard feel larger, greener and more immersive.
“We want the courtyard to feel bigger than it actually is.”
Design Response:
A linear water rill draws the eye through the garden, creating depth and movement. Subtle level changes and staggered paving break the space into smaller experiences, helping the courtyard feel layered rather than flat.
“Seeing the layout like this, we can finally picture how the courtyard will actually feel — it suddenly makes sense.”
“We loved the idea of something contemporary, but not out of place with the house.”
Design Response:
Reclaimed materials and soft stone tones anchor the design historically, while white rendered walls and corten steel introduce a clean, contemporary edge. The contrast feels intentional rather than forced.
“We were worried it might feel too modern, but now we can see how the planting and reclaimed materials soften it.”
“It needs to work for entertaining but still feel useable day to day.”
Design Response:
A sunken seating area, outdoor kitchen and dining terrace were carefully zoned using reclaimed brick pathways and corten edging. Each area flows naturally into the next, allowing the garden to shift between social and quiet use.
“It’s amazing how much space you’ve created — it feels bigger already just looking at the design.”
Sustainability
Design Response:
Bricks recovered from the stripped-out cellar are being carefully cleaned and reused to form a new courtyard pathway laid in a classic herringbone pattern.
This approach keeps a tangible link to the history of the house while reducing waste and avoiding the need for new materials.
The texture and colour of the reclaimed bricks bring warmth to the contemporary layout, guiding movement through the space and helping the garden feel rooted in its Suffolk setting rather than newly imposed.
“We love how you have taken the history of the property and mirrored it in the design.”
Before
Design Detail:
