Houses Awards 2025
Nelson Thomas Landscape Design and Architecture was recently shortlisted for the Small Projects Award by HOUSES, Australia’s leading residential architecture and interiors magazine.
As well as having a wonderful time at the Awards night, we were deeply humbled to be shortlisted together with such talented and dedicated professionals. The calibre of work was world class, with commitment to sustainable and progressive design solutions demonstrated by all. We walked away not only inspired, but with a sense of optimism for the future of Australian residential design.
For those of you that may have missed it, our shortlisted project was based on the access staircase from our Cheltenham project, designed to transform an underutilized and overgrown section of the property into a functional and visually striking access route. This transformation created a seamless indoor-outdoor connection, allowing the landscape to be appreciated from within the home. A sense of arrival was created, enhancing the overall experience of entering the residence.
Preserving the site’s character was a key focus, with the staircase weaving around existing rock outcrops and established native trees. Elevating the structure allowed minimal disruption to the terrain while maintaining a sense of lightness and integration with the surroundings.
Rehabilitating the garden was a central focus of the project, ensuring that the landscape was not only restored but also enhanced. The removal of weeds and unhealthy species allowed the existing native trees and natural rock outcrops to take center stage, reinforcing the site’s natural beauty.
With a deep respect for the existing ecosystem, the staircase was designed and constructed with careful consideration of root zones, preventing any damage to the established landscape. Given the site’s constraints such as limited soil depth due to exposed rock outcrops, new native species were thoughtfully selected to thrive in these conditions. This approach not only revitalized the space but also created a resilient, sustainable garden that complemented the built form and provided lasting enjoyment for the clients.
We thank our partners who helped us realise this project (as well as many other residential landscape designs in and around Sydney) and achieve such a great outcome for our clients: Mahony Group and Exotic Nurseries. We also thank those suppliers who provide us with expert advice and premium materials for all our landscape designs, from hardscaping projects with timber and mod wood, outdoor lighting services, pool building, irrigation, stonework and paving, and sourcing specimen trees.