This unique site is situated in the High Peak area of Derbyshire, high up in the Pennines. The house itself is a Grade II listed Georgian house, so we had to be careful to follow certain guidelines. The client had recently added a wonderful glass cube extension to the house to enhance their enjoyment of the garden and the incredible views of the surrounding landscape.

This view shows how well the glass cube sits with both the house and garden, while being distinctly new and modern. Getting the contrast right can often depend on going to the extreme.

There were many challenges to completing the scheme, most notably the site's 4 m elevation, which made access for materials and machinery difficult. A series of heavy-duty conveyor belts helped us deliver more than 30 tonnes of topsoil and a further 20 tonnes of other materials. A further five tonnes of concrete were needed to complete the water feature, which had to be pumped into place.

The garden is subject to quite severe winters, so the planting had to be hardy, but we managed to provide an array of plants that will mature into a beautiful garden, including a small knot garden that harks back to the Georgian era.

The garden is focused around a long, canal-type water feature (some 12 m long and 2.5 m wide), giving an extra dimension of stunning, mirror-like reflections of the sky.

In the evening, the sun gleams beautifully off the water and, once it has set, the underwater lighting provides a serene and stunning view from the glass cube that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

A discreet water filtration system, including ultraviolet treatment, is used to keep it clear and reduce maintenance.