A young client family wanted an urban garden for their townhouse in a city center location. Previously a rather desolate leftover space, it was to harmoniously extend the existing modern living space to the outside. At the top of the wish list was the creation of retreat niches that could not be seen from the neighboring houses - with a garden lounge with a barbecue and a play area for the children, which could also be used as a spacious terrace area to entertain larger groups of guests at a table. Otherwise, the four elements of fire, water, earth and air were to be taken into account in the design - minimalistically reduced and low-maintenance.

The Düsseldorf gardening and landscaping firm Gartenwerk sander.schumacher, which was entrusted with the concept and implementation, developed a design for the clients that combines the old and the new with great sensitivity and implements the diverse practical requirements in a relatively narrow, elongated space. In particular, the old brick boundary walls and some existing trees had to be dealt with. However, the building's waste disposal, which takes place via an access route from the stairwell, also had to be taken into account.

In order to minimize the length of the garden and visually widen it, a concept with clear horizontal lines was chosen. Large stone slabs made of quartz sandstone create a calming contrast to the lively brick walls and continue the modern look of the interior spaces into the exterior. A wooden bench made of Bangkirai hardwood unfolds along the flowing main terrace, framing a raised bed. Two steps integrated into the bench lead to the raised level of a small water basin, past which the path is paved with stone slabs. At the rear, a pergola with a garden lounge, which offers space for a temporary gas barbecue, is located at the same height. A wooden deck, into which the benches have been integrated, gives it a natural character.

In order to reduce the view from the neighbors, the walls were raised at certain points by a few larch wood slats. The public garbage area was also completely screened off from the garden. A harmonious illumination, provided by the lighting designers at Luc from Hilden, enhances the lounge effect of the garden at night. To minimize the amount of maintenance required, the planting of garden bamboo, perennials, grasses, ground cover and herbs is watered throughout the year using an irrigation system.

www.gartenwerk-duesseldorf.de

Photos:

Anna Schwartz
www.annaschwartz.de

(Published in CUBE Düsseldorf 01|20)