--- title: Garden Design Wicklow | Trev Kinsella Gardens Wicklow description: Bespoke garden design Slieve Thoul, Co. Dublin by Trev Kinsella Gardens. Contemporary outdoor living, Equestrian, lidar terrain data, topography, drainage image: https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hubfs/1-1.jpg --- [![Trev Kinsella Gardens garen design service country wide ](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/20230429_222414.jpg?width=2080&height=428&name=20230429_222414.jpg "Trev Kinsella Gardens garen design service country wide ")](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/?hsLang=en-ie) [![](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/Trev%20sig.jpg?width=1026&height=485&name=Trev%20sig.jpg)](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/?hsLang=en-ie) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Home](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie) - [RTE Super Garden](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/rte-super-garden) - [Contact](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/contact-us) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # SLIEVE THOUL ---   Set on a 2.5-acre sloping site on Slieve Thoul, on the Dublin side of the Wicklow Mountains, this project required a landscape design that could accommodate a diverse range of uses while retaining a strong connection with the surrounding countryside. ![1-1](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/1-1.jpg?width=2000&height=1125&name=1-1.jpg "1-1") The brief included equestrian facilities, work vehicle access and parking, a home office, children's recreation areas, a garden room, pet areas, productive growing spaces and an outdoor kitchen and lounge. The challenge was to bring each of these elements together within one cohesive landscape.   ![Slieve thoul drone photo aerial photography ](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/slievethouldrone.jpeg?width=1600&height=900&name=slievethouldrone.jpeg "Slieve thoul drone photo aerial photography ") ![Slope map showing gradients and water flow down the mountain](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/full_area_slope_map.png?width=2000&height=1816&name=full_area_slope_map.png "Slope map showing gradients and water flow down the mountain") The site's significant changes in level required a detailed understanding of its topography before the landscape could be designed. LiDAR terrain data was used to analyse gradients across the property and identify how surface water naturally moved down the mountain. A terrain and drainage analysis identified potential water accumulation zones and informed the positioning of drainage infrastructure, buildings, access routes and different areas of the garden. This allowed the landscape design to respond to the natural characteristics of the site rather than working against them. ![Water accumilation zones with grid reference](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/water_accum_zones_highlighted.png?width=1992&height=2000&name=water_accum_zones_highlighted.png "Water accumilation zones with grid reference") Detailed plans, scaled drawings and visualisations were produced throughout the design process to allow the client to understand how individual elements would work within the completed landscape. AI-assisted visualisations were also created following the landscape design to help communicate the proposed character and atmosphere of key areas, including the home office and pond.   ![Ai generated image to help enable client to visualise the office and pond area.](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/officeslievethoul.png?width=2000&height=2000&name=officeslievethoul.png "Ai generated image to help enable client to visualise the office and pond area.") ![Garden room with pond, all native Irish planting](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/PondOverhang.png?width=1024&height=1024&name=PondOverhang.png "Garden room with pond, all native Irish planting") ![Pergola overlooking office with native birch and house in background](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/6.jpg?width=2000&height=1125&name=6.jpg "Pergola overlooking office with native birch and house in background") Connectivity is particularly important within a garden of this scale. A second entrance provides practical access and parking for work vehicles and deliveries without compromising the main residential areas. Grass verges, native hedging and carefully positioned trees define the individual spaces while maintaining a sense of continuity throughout the landscape. ![An area to grow vegetables, store feed, house pigeons and canaries.](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/7.jpg?width=2000&height=1125&name=7.jpg "An area to grow vegetables, store feed, house pigeons and canaries.") ![lidarover3dmodel](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/lidarover3dmodel.jpeg?width=1600&height=1083&name=lidarover3dmodel.jpeg "lidarover3dmodel")  Overlaying the LiDAR terrain scan onto the 3D model allows us to accurately assess the relationship between the proposed design and the existing ground levels. This helps determine the precise location and extent of steps, level changes and excavation areas before construction begins.  ![sideviewlidarover3d](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/sideviewlidarover3d.jpeg?width=1600&height=796&name=sideviewlidarover3d.jpeg "sideviewlidarover3d") ![slievethoulgarage1](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/slievethoulgarage1.jpeg?width=1536&height=1024&name=slievethoulgarage1.jpeg "slievethoulgarage1") For the proposed garage, three scaled design options were developed using poured concrete, Corten steel and standing-seam finishes. Comparing the alternatives within the context of the landscape allowed appearance, integration with the site and construction cost to be considered before a final material was selected. ![standing seam](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/standing%20seam.jpeg?width=1536&height=1024&name=standing%20seam.jpeg "standing seam") ![corten steel](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/corten%20steel.jpeg?width=1536&height=1024&name=corten%20steel.jpeg "corten steel") ![architecht drawings plan elevation end view](https://trevkinsellagardens.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/stplan.png?width=505&height=816&name=stplan.png "architecht drawings plan elevation end view") The Slieve Thoul project demonstrates how detailed site analysis, landscape architecture, planting and practical planning can be brought together on a complex rural site. Rather than imposing a garden onto the land, the design responds to the site's existing levels, drainage patterns, exposure and views — creating a functional landscape that connects family life, work, recreation and the surrounding countryside.   ### Contact ---