Gardens have changed significantly over the last couple of decades. In the 1980s for.example, it wasn't uncommon to have manicured lawns framed with box hedges and annuals. With their owners ignoring how much water these gardens required for maintenance, these European-style gardens multiplied across Australia, both in city and rural environments.

This fussy European style of gardening could have continued unabated had there not been severe water restrictions across Australia in the past few years. With pruned garden beds faltering under such dry conditions,there's been a gradual progression to more low-maintenance gardens,often featuring hardy drought-tolerant indigenous species. Native grasses have been replacing water-thirsty flowers, with colour often seen in leaves rather than petals. Along with the changed conditions has come the rediscovery of succulent plants, popular in the 1950s.

Courtyards for Modem Living. Contemporary Outdoor Spoces illuminates the important connection between architecture and landscape in contemporary gardens. The homes in this book feature courtyard gardens and terraces that have been designed to become part of their interior spaces. Providing an attractive solution for ofter time-poor owners these low-maintenance gardens function as outdoor rooms and become extensions of everyday living spaces. SteDher Crafti provides revealing insights into the use of materials and architectural details such as floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors that make the space seem continuous rather than separating indoor and outdoor spaces.

Many of the outdoor spaces featured in this book are architect-designed, while others are the work of landscape architects or designers. While each designer's approach to the outdoors is unique, all demonstrate a mindfulness of the need to bring the outdoors in.

Introduction

Skew pyramid

Responding to the architecture

Reworking a classic

Trees only

One level

Landing in a field

A classic

Designed for children

Once a cottage, now a family home

Making the connection

The feel of the tropics

Like sitting on the verandah

The downsize

Low maintenance

Minimal lines

A sculptured lawn

Accessible

Widening the garden

Reminiscent of the past

An Asian influence

A unique garden

Succulent

Empty nesters

Multi-level

Rectilinear forms

A communal terrace

Pared back

Three useable areas

A Japanese feel

On the edge of the pool

Another room

A 20 percent slope

A number of experiences

A community

Shattered

Animated walls

An outdoor room

Moving on from the 1970s

Sculptural forms

Designed to move

Garden of reflections

Post-Victorian

Private courtyards

A cluster of birch trees

The same materials

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