Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture: Luxury Garden Design Experts in Melbourne

Nathan Burkett Landscape Architecture (NBLA) is a boutique landscape design studio based in Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 2003 by Nathan Burkett, the firm has built a reputation for delivering high-end, elegant and understated landscape and garden designs. NBLA operates across both public and private sectors, focusing particularly on private luxury gardens and outdoor spaces.

NBLA offers a full suite of services including:

• Landscape design

• Landscape construction

• Garden maintenance

History & Leadership

• Nathan Burkett, a qualified landscape architect, earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from RMIT. He won RMIT’s Award for Design Excellence in his final year.

• Shortly after founding NBLA, his team won Abode Magazine’s Garden of the Year Award in 2004.

• Notable projects also include an award-winning show garden “Equilibrium” at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.

Values, Style & Design Philosophy

• NBLA places great emphasis on integrating its designs with existing architecture and the physical qualities of sites. Their designs are described as “classic contemporary”, combining clean, crisp lines with softer, expressive elements.

• Attention to detail, thoughtful planting, evolution over time, and creating usable outdoor spaces are central aspects of their work.

Ideal Clients

NBLA’s ideal customers tend to be:

• Homeowners in affluent suburbs of Melbourne or other premium postcodes who are seeking bespoke garden or landscape solutions.

• Those who value design integrity, high quality plant selection, and long-term maintenance of gardens.

• Clients wanting outdoor living spaces that harmonise with their homes architecturally — e.g. incorporating entertaining areas, pools, patios, or designing for privacy and seasonal interest.

• Commercial or event clients (e.g. large-scale installations) such as for the Australian Open show gardens.

Recent Trends & Statistics

• Due to post-COVID shifts in work and lifestyle patterns, landscape architecture in Victoria (and more broadly Australia) has seen rising demand. Clients are increasingly willing to spend more on quality outdoor design.

• According to news sources, many residential landscaping budgets have increased:

  Nathan Burkett noted that “rarely do we see a budget under AUD 150,000 (≈) and budgets in excess of AUD 1 million are becoming more common for larger projects.”

• NBLA’s company registration: It is a private company (Pty Ltd), registered under ABN 59 163 046 982. The operating address is 234-236 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122.

Awards & Recognition

• Gold Medal at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show for the installation “Equilibrium”.

• Abode Magazine Garden of the Year Award (2004).

• Multiple accolades at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in more recent years.