Avondale – Beyond The Trees

Avondale, County Wicklow

Austen Landscape Architects (Formerly Austen Associates) were appointed to lead the landscape design for the redevelopment of Avondale Estate, with a particular focus on the historic Walled Garden, key reception areas, and a newly introduced sensory garden. This project required a sensitive and thoughtful approach to reimagining a culturally significant site while ensuring it could meet the needs of modern users.

The Walled Garden, originally established as part of the Hayesville estate and later renamed Avondale Estate in the 1770s, has long been a defining feature of the site. Our design reinterprets the garden as a contemporary, inclusive space while carefully preserving its character and connection to the surrounding landscape. The reconfiguration of pathways leads visitors through a restored ticketing office and seamlessly connects to the Seed Café, now accessible via a newly constructed bridge. Strategic planting and hardscape elements were selected to complement the existing architectural features, offering strong visual connections from elevated viewpoints and reinforcing the garden’s role as a central gathering point within the estate.

Adjacent to the Walled Garden, we developed a sensory garden designed to engage all five senses. Positioned beside the main courtyard, this space was envisioned as a serene counterpoint to the more active areas of the estate. Carefully curated planting palettes, textural materials, and interactive elements create a layered experience that encourages quiet reflection, accessibility, and connection to nature.

The transformed Walled Garden now accommodates a range of uses, including a modern children’s play area, an outdoor dining terrace, and zones for informal recreation and education. Seasonal planting schemes incorporate herbs and edible crops, continuing the tradition of productive gardening on site. These features contribute to the garden’s identity as a vibrant, evolving space that honours its past while supporting new forms of community engagement.

Our approach to landscape design prioritises a respectful integration of contemporary interventions within historically significant contexts. By carefully balancing innovation with sensitivity, we aim to create landscapes that are both functional and enduring, enhancing their setting while meeting the needs of present and future users.