The garden needed to complement the house—appearing as if it had always belonged there. Guided by this vision, the new owners commissioned landscape architect Burkhard Damm, who has stewarded the garden for 15 years. The project involved two distinct challenges: first, a careful restoration of the expansive lower garden, spanning 5,000 m², originally designed by Roland Weber, one of Germany's most celebrated postwar landscape architects. Second, a complete redesign of the upper terraces adjoining the residence.

Burkhard Damm recalls the complexity: "When I came on board, the house renovation was already well underway. Coordinating the exterior work with over ten trades required meticulous timing and planning." The owner envisioned multiple outdoor living zones on the upper level: a generously shaded pool with an outdoor kitchen and pavilion, plus several terraces designed for different times of day and seasons. Damm's design philosophy centers on sustainable, timeless materials that harmonize with each project. For the house-adjacent areas, he and his team selected travertine in varied finishes. "Travertine sourced from German quarries perfectly reflects the era in which the house was built," Damm explains. The driveway features locally quarried "Limes Dolomite" pavers, while modified wood (sustainably harvested "Pinus radiata") forms the terrace substructure and kitchen framework. This remarkable softwood undergoes a chemical-free process that transforms its cellular structure, lending it properties comparable to tropical hardwoods. The original Main sandstone slabs were carefully reset in a polygonal pattern. The lower park received an equally thoughtful restoration: declining trees were replaced with new plantings that foster intimacy and enclosure. The reimagined garden invites contemplation at every turn, with vibrant, expanded planting beds—some 8,000 perennials and 12,000 flowering bulbs—that actively support biodiversity. The numerous intimate zones near the house work as a unified composition while remaining individually functional: a viewing garden, morning and evening terraces, relaxation areas, gathering spaces, and an entry court for welcoming guests. Damm also designed the garden's lighting scheme. Every area features warm-white, insect-friendly illumination controlled individually or in groups via smartphone app.

www.damm-refugium.de

Photography:
Refugium Garden + Landscape Design

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|24)