Your Gold Coast Landscape Designer
Habitat Landscape Design is led by Kieran Morris — NZQA Level 3 Horticultural Science, a decade in the landscape industry, mostly gardening, with design alongside. Design-only since late 2024, serving the Gold Coast, Northern NSW, and the Scenic Rim.
Book a Discovery Call View SamplesBetter Results Start With a Clear Plan
Recommendation-led, not menu-led. I started Habitat because I kept seeing people invest in big projects with no plan — then redo work, compromise, or wonder where the budget went. A clear design changes that. Since late 2024 I’ve been design-only — I don’t build, sell materials, or quote on construction, so the recommendations on your project are about what suits the brief. When you’d like an introduction to a contractor I work with regularly, I’m happy to make one, and your questions are answered at handover so whoever builds starts with a clear brief.
A designer who actually understands plants. My background is horticulture first — NZQA Level 3 Horticultural Science, then a decade in the landscape industry, mostly landscape gardening, with design work alongside it. That matters more than people realise. I’d visit sites where the designer didn’t understand what would actually grow or what would look right in three years. I figured if they can design, so can I — except I’d bring the plant knowledge they were missing.
Your ideas, made real. I take your Pinterest boards, your holiday photos, the thing you can’t quite describe — and figure out how to make it work on your site. What’s realistic, what’s going to thrive, what’s going to feel right in five years.
At the end of the day, a garden should be a place that makes you feel calm. Grounded. At peace. That’s what I’m trying to create for every client.
How a Habitat Design Is Different
Most people come to me stuck: a new build with bare dirt, a yard that doesn’t work, or plenty of ideas and no idea what order to do them in. I design and you choose who builds, so the plan is about your brief, not selling you a build, and you come away with a plan you can act on.
Designed Around How You Live
Every project starts with a Discovery Call, then a workshop with everyone who has a say. I get to know how you live, who the space is for and what isn’t working, and the design is built around that.
“He took time to understand our home before advising on the landscape design.” — Craig Brennan
Practical Ideas, From Years on the Tools
A decade in the landscape industry, mostly hands-on gardening with design alongside, means creative ideas that are practical to build, with plant and materials schedules to hand to your landscaper.
“He listened carefully to our goals, offered great ideas and delivered a thoughtful, practical plan which gave us clear direction.” — Barbra Filo
Horticulturist, Not Just a Designer
NZQA Level 3 in Horticultural Science, so every plant is chosen for your site’s light, wind and conditions, from coastal sand and salt to hinterland basalt, and sized for how big it grows.
“His knowledge of native plants to suit different areas was remarkable.” — Marcus Walker
The Whole Site, in the Right Order
With the Masterplan you get a staging plan for the whole property: what to build first and why. Your contractor sets the construction programme and method.
“When he left we felt we had gained clarity in moving forward with our plans.” — Lynn & Rob
Your Landscape Design Packages
Pick the package that fits the scope. Every project starts with a free Discovery Call.
Landscape Concept Plan
Layout changing or no plan yet, and a concept is all you need: how the spaces work, where things go, and planting chosen for your site’s conditions.
- Design workshop by video
- 2D concept plan — layout, design narrative, materials intent
- Inspiration boards for materials and plants
- The planting plan and plant schedule
- One video presentation call for the concept
What your landscaper can do with this: quote the planting, and produce a desktop estimate for the rest. Hardscape detail (dimensions, surfaces and materials) comes at Masterplan level.
View Sample→ Book Discovery CallLandscape Masterplan
Layout changing and you want the most certainty: one comprehensive plan for contractors to quote from, subject to their check-measure. The pick for slopes, retaining walls, pools and multi-zone sites.
- Design workshop by video
- 2D concept plan — approved before the master plan phase
- Dimensions, surfaces & materials
- Full planting design
- Lighting & irrigation intent, drainage intent where required
- 3D model: levels worked out and the design tied into what’s already there, so you can see how it all fits
- Staging plan: what to build first and why. Your contractor sets the construction programme and method.
What your landscaper can do with this: produce a quote, subject to their own site check-measure — every contractor quoting on the same plan. Built on the DWG or DXF file (the CAD drawing file your surveyor, draughtsman or architect works in, not a PDF); plans are marked not to scale.
View Sample→ Book Discovery CallLandscape Plan
Layout already set, existing or on your architect’s or builder’s plans: the landscaping gets resolved, from plants, edging and stepping stones to mulch/pebbles and pots. Delivered remotely; a one-hour on-site visit can be added.
- Planting plan — species by named zone, spacing and design intent
- Beds, paths and stepping stones shown with a colour key to materials: a visual key, not a detailed specification
- Edging & stepping-stone placement
- A standard notes page
What you can do with this: hand it to your landscaper or installer to quote — they confirm placement, quantities and pot sizes on site.
View Sample→ Book Discovery CallFixed prices for a standard suburban block, front and back designed together. Acreage, commercial projects and new designs for unit complexes are quoted individually.
Working With Habitat — Common Questions
What's your background?
NZQA Level 3 Horticultural Science, 10+ years across horticulture and landscape design. On the Gold Coast since 2022. Design-only since late 2024 — before that I worked on the tools, so designs are practical to build and planting is chosen to thrive. On architect-designed homes, I design to suit the architecture.
Why design-only? Why not just build it too?
When I was designing and building, clients couldn’t always tell whether a recommendation was advice or an upsell. Now I’m design-only: I don’t build, sell materials or quote on construction. When clients want an introduction to a contractor I work with regularly, I’m happy to make one, and questions are answered at handover so the brief is clear before building starts.
Do you work with my architect or builder?
Yes. I work from your architectural plans and design the landscape to suit the architecture, and I’ll flag where decks, retaining walls or drainage need input from your builder or engineer. I fit into existing project workflows.
What happens on a Discovery Call?
About 20 minutes, screen-share, with both decision-makers wherever possible. We walk your property using council mapping and satellite imagery, talk through what you’re hoping to achieve, and you leave with a clearer read of your site and a recommendation on the package that suits the brief.
Not Sure Where to Start? Find Your Style in 2 Minutes.
Rate 7 curated design photos — you’ll see the palette, textures and planting that resonate, and we’ll have a head start for your Discovery Call.
Free · no signup · 2 minutes
Ready to Get Started?
Tell me about your project and what you’re hoping to achieve — about 20 minutes, no obligation.
Book a Discovery Call