A LANDSCAPER'S PERSPECTIVE

In 2023, successful architect Sarah Waller built her dream home in Doonan, Queensland. Spread across multiple acres, this architectural gem is described as showcasing “clean lines, total transparency and minimal detail… reflecting the houses of the 1950s Modern Movement… and resulting in a chic, modern and flowing family home.”  With such care and dedication taken to produce the build, owner and designer Waller was adamant that the outdoors would serve as an equally appropriate canvas for this modern marvel. Working with Adam Biddle of Instyle Habitats, the Doonan property was soon transformed into a tropical oasis that reigns over the natural valley in which it resides.

Reflecting the clean lines of the architecture, this landscape was built for relaxation yet reflects sophistication and simplicity. Blending, living, working and relaxation spaces together, the design makes the most of the natural beauty of the surrounding environment, spreading in a multi-tiered cascade across the property. Large expanses of lush green lawn connect quiet nooks and large entertaining planes via terraced layers edged in lush garden beds. Not just large in size but also spread across a sloping block, the resulting landscape has an open feel overall that slides seamlessly into the connecting rainforest.

To ensure the landscape remained a place of enjoyment for Waller and her family and not a burden of labour, Biddle and his team installed the Husqvarna Automower^® 430X & 435X AWD system to maintain the large swathes of green lawn. A sustainable smart solution for lawn maintenance, the Automower^® gives Waller the low-maintenance approach she wanted while guaranteeing Biddle his award-winning work will be cared for long term.

In conversation with Husqvarna, Waller and Biddle answer some questions that reflect their experience working with the Automower® range.

Q What purpose do you think robotic lawn mowers can play in maintaining your landscape designs?

Adam Biddle

A freshly cut lawn is very visually appealing - and to have a freshly cut lawn day after day in my opinion sets the tone and frame for the rest of the garden.

Sarah Waller

We have noticed an improvement in the quality of the lawn. It was explained to us it would only take off 0.5 of a millimetre but its taken it off daily, so that just goes back into the ground as mulch. Before, we had to put all of our cuttings into a trailer and then we’d have to take those off to the tip. Now we don’t have to do any of that. It’s actually perfect.

Q How have the Automower's coped with the Queensland terrain?

Sarah Waller

They’ve risen to all the challenges of the steep incline that we have from the road and then we’ve got an immaculate flat area and then it sort of mellows into the landscape and onto the golf course where we have a large body of water and a dam, so it copes with all scenarios.

Q What happens when you go away?

Sarah Waller

The Automower Connect App allows us to go away and I can see exactly where they are and what they are doing. We can adjust the cutting heights up and down, and it also allows me to stop and start. We use a lot of irrigation and it allows me to set times, the mower will return to base and be dormant until irrigation is complete. Then it goes back out automatically.

Q As a professional in the landscape industry, do you think smart solutions play a part in benefitting your business and your clients in the future, and if so, why?

Adam Biddle

Our end goal is to create gardens that our clients can enjoy, and not forever trying to maintain them. Smart solutions play a massive role in not only the installations of our gardens but also the maintenance.

Sarah Waller

I think as an architect, for us to incorporate and recommend our clients use particular products or services, having tried it, we’re able to then validate how amazing the product is, and what it’s brought to us as a family. I just feel that it would be a benefit to all of my clients. I can't think of a scenario where they wouldn’t benefit from having a Husqvarna Automower^® on their property.

Q How has having an Automower changed the way you maintain your lansdcape?

Sarah Waller

The Automower is working 24/7. We obviously need downtime, but the Automower doesn’t. It just needs to go back into its dock, have a little rest, get charged, and then out it goes again. We’re also really pleased with the sustainability of the Automower, that we don’t have to worry about the fuel and refuelling the machine. During the day I can focus on my design work and we can see it slowly go past the window, the noise is just so minimal you’d never even notice it was here.

Click here to find out all you need to know about Husqvarna's robotic mower range