The project was designed for a large family who enjoys spending time outdoors on their new property. The design incorporates a variety of distinct functional zones, each serving a different purpose while maintaining a natural and harmonious ambiance.
All the buildings (a two-story house, a sauna, and a garage) were already constructed at the time of our first meeting. During this initial meeting, the property owner, Marina, immediately identified the main issue that concerned her. The fact is that on the southern side of the property, the neighbors had built a high wall for their house, which rises 7 meters and, moreover, the house is located at a higher level. This dominant red brick wall greatly troubled my clients, especially since the family and their friends spend most of their time in this area on the terrace.
To divert attention from this dominant wall, I proposed planting fast-growing willows along the fence and installing a large decorative panel between them, which could also serve as a screen for watching movies in the evening with a projector. This idea appealed to Marina and was accepted.
The owners wanted a pool and a seating area around a fire pit in front of the terrace. I proposed uniting the terrace, sauna, and pool with a wooden deck laid at the same level. The wooden decking would not only serve as a path where you can walk barefoot from the sauna to the pool but also as a seat where you can comfortably sit in soft chairs in front of the screen. Here, along the fence, I suggested installing a fixed wooden bench where people can sit around the fire.
Regarding the plantings, the main ones around the pool, near the fence, are irises and calamagrostis. And in the shade under the willows, there is dense vegetation of ferns, ligularias, and hostas. Another area of the property behind the house, in full shade, is designated for a sports field with fitness equipment. From there, access to the large garden is through vegetable beds where the children wish to grow herbs and strawberries.
The vast garden space has been left open so that the children have a place to play. Along the fence, it is planned to plant rows of ornamental-fruit deciduous trees and flowering shrubs. Another problem that arose during construction was the two technical wells located right in the middle of the garden. I proposed planting them with Nepeta faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant.’ Decorative plastic stones can be placed on top of the wells. This way, the combination of stones and flowering Nepeta will hide the wells while keeping them accessible at any time.
Here, a basketball area has already been set up in front of the garage. It will be covered with a special rubber surface in the future. The path from the garage to the house has already been paved with large slabs of black slate laid on fine gravel. On either side of the path, there is a flower bed with perennials and annuals, which remain decorative throughout the season.