With a History that dates back almost 150 years to the foundation of the city, Christ Church Cathedral is an iconic feature of the Newcastle skyline.


The church approached Darren to design a Memorial Garden, a consecrated space where the ashes of parishioners and the wider community could be interred.Central to the design brief was the need to create a peaceful space for contemplation and remembrance that complied with various State and Federal government heritage covenants. Easy disabled access was also a priority. The cardinal arch in the adjacent columbarium offered the visual cue for the overall design, with a small hexagonal baptismal font originally transported from Scotland providing the focal feature. Laid out in accordance with the golden ratio, the garden design mirrors the cruciform transept and nave rationale of the original cathedral design. A hedge garden of Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla var japonica) contrasted with Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' separates and masks the seating area from the access ramp, softening the impact of this utilitarian feature. The universal cross is aligned so that when approaching on any of the pathways leading to the central feature, the visitor always faces the cross, underscoring the reverent nature of the Garden.A circulating water feature enhances the overall sense of tranquility and reflection in this idyllic location.