Built on the Peninsula. Built on getting it right.
Formed Landscapes has been building on the Mornington Peninsula since 2009. We specialise in complex, design-led residential landscapes - the kind of projects that require careful planning, technical capability and a team that understands construction properly.
We work in close partnership with landscape designers, carrying their designs through from approved plans to completed build. Our clients are homeowners who value the finished result and want a builder they can trust to get there without unnecessary stress or involvement on their part.
We work best on projects where the design is resolved, the scope is clear and the client values quality over cost. That is where we do our best work and where our clients get the most from working with us.
Michael Stephenson, Director
Michael founded Formed Landscapes in 2009 and has spent almost two decades landscaping on the Peninsula. From the beginning, he has built the business around the things he believes in: that good work requires real craft, that people grow when they are challenged properly, and that a team performs best when it is led well from the front.
He is closely involved in every project, from the initial site meeting and scope development through to construction oversight and client communication. Designers and clients alike describe him as easy to deal with, a good listener and someone who takes the work seriously without making the process difficult.
He is a Registered Building Practitioner and leads by example. The standards he holds himself to are the same ones he expects from everyone on the team.
Our team
Each project is led by a working site supervisor, someone who is on the tools, maintaining standards and keeping the build aligned with the design at every stage. They are supported by skilled landscapers and apprentices who are trained within the business and held to the same standards as everyone else on site.
We run multiple crews across the Peninsula, with construction management oversight on all active projects. It is how we maintain consistency across everything we deliver.
We invest in developing our people. We promote from within and we are clear about what progression looks like. The goal is a team that understands what we are trying to achieve and takes ownership of it.
Our credentials
In 2024, we were awarded the Nic van Diemen Award (Gold) and a Silver in Residential Landscape Construction at the Victorian Landscape Awards.
We are Registered Building Practitioners with the Victorian Building Commission, and members of both Master Builders Victoria and Landscaping Victoria.
We carry full insurance and approach every project with the structure and accountability that registered building practice requires
"We engaged Michael at Formed to do our native coastal garden. His values, level of care, and commitment to quality were exceptional. Mike was proactive with his communication, and throughout our project, nothing was ever a problem for Mike or his entire team."
- Russell
“The team did an extraordinary job - with the task at hand quoted and delivered as promised. Would recommend Formed to anyone in a heartbeat.”
- Leanne
‘Michael has a massive level of care and attention to detail that is very rare to find. He is hugely knowledgeable, precise on layouts and finishes, honest, caring and pulls out all the stops to deliver for his clients. He has undertaken multiple jobs for me, a couple that were very complicated, and I am continually impressed by his professionalism and problem solving ability. Would highly recommend. If I could give more than 5 stars I would”
- Pablo
Their words, not ours
“It was a pleasure working with Michael and the Formed team on a complete landscaping rebuild at our home at Martha Cove. It was a big job - more than 12 months on and off - with Formed working carefully around but in cooperation with our builder and the pool company. The Formed team showed incredible attention to detail and real pride of workmanship.”
- Shaun
How we work
We are genuine and straightforward. We say what we mean and follow through on what we commit to.
We think before we build. Every project is planned properly before anyone sets foot on site.
We take ownership. If something needs resolving, we resolve it. Not the client's problem, ours.
We build for the long term. Our reputation comes from the relationships we have with designers, clients and the people on our team.
Working with designers
A significant part of our work comes through landscape designers who trust us to deliver their projects properly. If you are a designer looking for a builder who understands your drawings, communicates throughout the build and protects your design intent, we would like to talk.
Work with us
If you have a designed landscape ready to build, or you are a designer looking for a builder you can rely on, we would like to hear from you.