Designing A Garden for Family Life | Ben Scott on the Boulevard House

With a rare talent for crafting gardens that seem to have always belonged, Ben Scott Garden Design shapes landscapes for those who call them home and those who visit, informed by decades of horticultural knowledge and design intuition.

In Melbourne’s coveted Yarra Flats neighbourhood, Ben Scott Garden Design joins forces with architecture firm Archier and landscape contractors Greener Visions Landscapes to realise a garden that is both beautiful and attuned to the lives of a young, active family of three.

We sat down with Ben Scott to learn how this collaboration came to life — and the uniquely personal result it achieved.

What was the overarching vision for the landscape, and what kinds of emotional or sensory experiences were you hoping to evoke through the design?

Ben Scott: The primary vision for the landscape was about connection with nature, emphasising native and Indigenous plant species alongside the abundant wildlife native to the area.

My goal was to immerse the family in a landscape that fosters exploration and connection. By bringing plant life as close to the house as possible, I sought to create an environment that felt both enriching and engaging.

How did the site’s natural characteristics—its topography, vegetation and outlook—influence your approach?

Ben Scott: The natural characteristics of the site were integral to the entire design process. The architect, Archier, brilliantly crafted the home to step down the steep slope, integrating the building with the land. With 350m² of roof gardens, the design emphasised the sense of being immersed in the topography itself.

The surrounding native vegetation, including plants from the neighbouring properties and the Yarra Flats Reserve, heavily influenced the planting palette. Ultimately, the landscape was designed to enhance the views of the reserve, ensuring the built form and natural elements remained in harmony.

Inspired by the surrounding native Australian vegetation and the neighbouring Yarra Flats, Scott drew on this palette to create a natural yet secluded extension of the landscape for the young family who call it home.

How would you describe the collaboration with Archier on this home?

Ben Scott: Working with Archier was a truly collaborative experience. Great architects think beyond the built form — considering how their design connects with the landscape. Archier’s commitment to blending architecture and nature was evident from the start. Our design discussions were thorough and rigorous, ensuring that every aspect of the landscape supported and elevated the architecture, ultimately achieving a cohesive and well-integrated result.

Were there particular moments where the architecture and landscape design came together in a meaningful or unexpected way?

Ben Scott: The roof garden has been a particularly successful element, allowing the landscape to be positioned close to the house. The sight of wildlife, from blue-tongued lizards to birds to insects, interacting with the plant life right at the doorstep of the home is a reminder of how deeply the architecture and landscape are intertwined, creating a meaningful connection with nature.

Did you experience any unique challenges or opportunities that shaped the outcome of the landscape design?

Ben Scott: This site presented a unique challenge, with a 12-meter change in elevation from front to back. The challenge was not just managing the slope but ensuring that the design maintained unobstructed views by restricting the use of a balustrade. To address this, I implemented stepped planters, which allowed the fall to be regulated, and softened the built form of the retaining wall. Additionally, the pool was elevated to function as both a retaining wall and a pool fence, further integrating the landscape with the topography.

Nestled into the landscape, the home benefits from the surrounding earth’s natural thermal regulation, boosting sustainability while creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Were there any other collaborations or craftspeople who played an important role in bringing the landscape to life?

Ben Scott: I was fortunate to work with Greener Visions Landscapes, a landscape contractor whose attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensured the design was realised perfectly. Their ability to execute the design on time and to the highest standards was invaluable in bringing the landscape vision to life.

What elements of the garden or outdoor spaces are you particularly proud of, and why?

Ben Scott: One of the design decisions that has worked incredibly well is the positioning of the alfresco space. By placing it on a lower level, rather than directly in front of the main living area, we were able to preserve the views and avoid cluttering the vista with outdoor furniture. This also allowed the garden to be brought closer to the house, enhancing the connection with nature.

How do you hope people experience the landscape—as part of daily life, or in moments of pause and reflection?

Ben Scott: A well-designed garden is good for the soul. It should allow people to socialise, exercise, rest and reflect. Given how much time is spent indoors in Melbourne, it’s crucial that we place emphasis on the landscape experience from indoors and bring the garden as close to the home as we can. I hope that their garden becomes a significant part of their life.

“A well-designed garden is good for the soul. It should allow people to socialise, exercise, rest and reflect.”

— LANDSCAPE DESIGNER, BEN SCOTT

Cleverly elevated, the pool doubles as both a retaining wall and a natural fence.

With most of the home built underground, Archier designed it to step down the natural slope of the hillside, integrating it into the terrain and creating new possibilities for Scott’s landscape vision.