As one of Australia’s most influential and accomplished interior designers, Darren Palmer understands the importance of multifunctional solutions that deliver both style and functionality – naturally, ModularWalls delivers each in spades. Take inspiration from Darren’s contemporary retaining wall project, and discover how ModularWalls‘ seamless, integrated solutions have helped to transform his space.
A Bondi oasis showcasing the best of Sydney living
Household name Darren Palmer’s Bondi development project has garnered significant attention for its stunning aesthetics and striking design. With his steeply sloping site presenting several unique constraints, Darren required an innovative solution to deliver a contemporary retaining wall.
Bringing Darren’s landscaping vision to life
Darren’s Bondi home sits on a challenging sloping block, demanding a thoughtful and strategic approach to landscaping to maximise amenity.
“I’ve been planning this space for years before we did the Development Application. It was really important for me to try to get the most amenity and the most entertaining space out of the amount of land that we’ve got on this kind of strange-shaped block.”
Firstly, while Darren had a clear vision for his landscaping, he enlisted the help of the experts to bring it to life.
“I had an idea of what I wanted to achieve with the landscaping, but I’m no landscaper. I worked with Adam Robinson, Ladybug Landscapes and Exotic Nurseries. And between them and myself and my vision for the front and backyards, we’ve achieved exactly what I wanted and then some.”
The existing landscaping had thriving Cocos Palms and an abundant frangipani Darren wished to retain. At the same time, new elements, such as a contemporary TrendWall® retaining wall, have been incorporated to enhance the overall outdoor design.
Navigating sandy soil and problematic relative levels
In addition to the challenges posed by Darren’s sloping site, he also faced the challenge of sandy soil (ubiquitous in the Eastern Suburbs). Careful consideration of ground levels and retaining solutions was paramount. The integrated TrendWall® and TerraFirm® solution allowed Darren to effectively manage the relative levels between his property and his neighbours.
“We are on a sand dune. This is basically sand. We changed the ground levels of my house, which meant that our relative levels with our neighbours are very different. My neighbours are literally a metre away from my boundary on one side and a metre away from the other. We also had to retain sections of both of my neighbour’s land.”
A seamless, contemporary retaining wall
As an interior designer, Darren Palmer favours timeless and striking aesthetics. Accordingly, it’s no surprise that Darren prized the visual cohesion of TrendWall® with integrated TerraFirm® retaining panels.
“The TerraFirm® system and the TrendWall® system look exactly the same— you cannot tell where one ends and the next one starts. Visually, it’s really consistent, cohesive and beautiful. We have quite a lot of [TerraFirm®] throughout the site and it’s seamless and it was really cost-effective.”
Overcoming access challenges to create a contemporary retaining wall
Access to the site posed significant challenges, as Darren described: “Access is not my friend on this site, and neither was the geotechnical report. Getting heavy machinery in here was near impossible. Digging big holes was not a good idea.”
Thanks to ModularWalls’ proprietary composite construction, no heavy machinery is required during installation. Construction wastage is minimal as is the requirement for excessive trades and labour, which meant a quick and easy installation for Darren.
“In specifying ModularWalls, I was looking for a really specific solution. I needed something that was easy access and that didn’t require a lot of deep digging. I also needed a solution that was cost-effective, that had acoustic qualities, that was aesthetically beautiful. Here we are, and it is an absolutely beautiful result.”
Transforming the front yard into a poolside entertaining area
Previously dominated by terrace walls with limited functionality, the front yard was transformed into a vibrant outdoor pool area. The new design created a seamless flow from the entrance to the pool. Lush landscaping surrounds the pool and boundary walls, creating a private oasis in the heart of Bondi Beach.
“It’s all about setting the scene from the gate. Then, you get this lovely reveal, this private sensation of being in a beautiful tropical garden underneath all these palm trees. As you walk through, you’re screened. You really don’t have a sense of the fact that we’re right in the thick of Bondi Beach. It feels very private, like a private oasis.”
Designing for security, longevity and amenity
Darren couldn’t be more thrilled with ModularWalls’ multifunctional solutions – more than just a fence, TrendWall® provides a boundary wall with integrated retaining that is also pool compliant.
Safety and security were paramount for Darren, particularly around the pool area. TrendWall®s’ monolithic structure makes it non-climbable, while the aluminium posts are corrosive-resistant, ideal for the poolside application and coastal Bondi location.
“It was really important that I chose a material that was non-climbable, that was going to be appropriate for this coastal, poolside environment. It’s robust and it’s secure. Ensuring all elements are suited for the coastal environment was essential for longevity.”
A substantial backyard transformation
The backyard was another area requiring substantial transformation. Darren recounts “The backyard was basically unusable. The retaining wall out the back was made of rotting sleepers and all sorts of inherited mess.”
Thanks to Darren’s keen design eye and the minimalist, sleek TrendWall® system, Darren and his family can now enjoy their rear backyard. TrendWall® has helped create a serene outdoor space for relaxation and entertaining, complete with an in-built barbecue and porcelain benchtop.
“Outdoor spaces are all about lifestyle and amenity. We now have a beautiful green lawn area, a custom-built barbecue, perfect privacy, and lovely stability in that backyard as well.”
Incredible results, predictable outcomes
With over twenty years of design experience, Darren emphatically values predictable outcomes above all. Thanks to ModularWalls’ stringent quality control, Darren can rest easy, knowing he’s chosen a durable, reliable solution.
“In my work, I really love predictable outcomes. I like to know that what I specify is exactly what I’m going to get. And with ModularWalls, I knew the sizing, I knew the acoustic qualities, I knew the retaining abilities, I knew everything that I was going to get, and it has exceeded my expectations.”
Nothing less than the best: a contemporary retaining wall that delivers
Darren Palmer’s Bondi renovation showcases the versatility, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of ModularWalls systems. The seamless integration of TerraFirm® and TrendWall® provided the perfect solution for retaining, fencing, and enhancing privacy, ultimately transforming his home into a contemporary Bondi oasis. Above all, it’s clear: whether dealing with challenging site conditions or aiming for a sleek and sophisticated look, ModularWalls offers the ideal solution for any project.
