Landscaping Project
Near Padul, Granada
Having completed work on this clients kitchen and some other minor snags with their new property, we were asked to create a terrace around their pool and landscape the garden.
Before
Nothing but a dry and barren patch of land surrounding the property. As our clients would not be residing at the property full-time to begin with, we advised use of hard landscaping, rather than grass, which would require constant care and attention. The aim was to create a beautiful space which required little effort to maintain.
Work in Progress
Preparation of the terrain accounted for the bulk of the initial time on the project. The original terrain was far from level and needed to be flattened, levelled and compacted to provide a stable base. Around the pool area we used compacted ballast to form a solid base upon which to pour the concrete base for the pool surround
Over the level and compacted base we applied construction plastic (to prevent the moisture escaping from the concrete) and reinforced steel mesh for strength. We poured the concrete to a depth of 100mm (about 4 inches). Done with care and a methodical approach, we were able to ensure there wasn't a single crack in any of the concrete once dry. This would facilitate a nice and smooth surface on which to tile.
When viewing the pool surround from the house, as in these images, we felt it was important to align the tiles from the front edge of the pool. Due to the plot not being square however, it was clear that the main body of the terrace and the path to the right would never line up, hence the use of a small border to create a subtle division between the two areas.
With the main pool area terrace finished and grouted, it was time to begin the second phase of the work and the main transformation of the space.
Our first task was to re-locate the pergola from immediately behind the property, to nearer the pool area, which required a new concrete base which was decorated with slices of different coloured stone. Rather than just a slope between the two levels of the garden, we built a retaining wall which would form two more distinct levels, behind which would be a planting area.
The area to the right of the pergola was the first stage of a gravelled area, which was levelled, compacted and covered with a membrane to prevent weeds. We used the same membrane throughout all the gravelled areas, surrounded with natural stone to form the borders for further planting areas.
You'll see the work in progress, through to completion from the following images.
As you will see, there's plenty of space for planting with topsoil bordered with natural rocks next to the neighbouring walls of the property. We also planted orange and lemon trees in the large area behind the retaining wall, olive and almond trees down one side of the property and a fig tree at the front. The oranges, lemons, fig and almond trees are already beginning to bear fruit whilst the first new olives are also beginning to form.
Within the retaining wall, behind the pergola area we created space for a gas barbeque, along with a natural slate top to one side and a small herb planter. We capped the retaining wall with bricks to match those used in the exterior design of the house.
Retaining Wall
Huétor Tájar, Granada
As part of an ongoing larger project, our client required a reinforced retaining wall to be constructed against a banked area of their property. The aim being to prevent any further land slippage in the future. The retaining wall would also secure the entrance driveway to the property and allow for further landscaping once other aspects of their project are completed.
Using 18mm steel, stitched and cast into 60cm x 60cm footings, the wall measured 2m high by over 100m in length. 
This began the first stages of the renovation and restoration of a flour mill and bakery, thought to be around 200 years old, which we will be involved with over the coming months. The property will be converted into letting accommodation for rural tourism, whilst also preserving as much of the history of the property, including a museum area, which will display the fully restored, water driven mill equipment.
