A delightful surprise awaits upon entering this property—the garden unfolds almost immediately after you cross the threshold. The compact footprint here means multiple functions share the same intimate space. When this villa was built nearly 150 years ago, the property lines told a different story. The original owner was a landscape gardener with a generous stretch of land extending behind the building. Over the decades, ownership shifted repeatedly—during the GDR era, even the KGB called it home. After 1994, when the Soviets departed, Potsdam stirred to life anew. The current owners discovered this special gem six years ago, but found themselves with just one usable garden area: the narrow strip between house and street. The parking and main entrance occupy the rear. Yet for this family of five, the location's advantages outweighed these constraints. The lady of the house had one clear wish: "I want a beautiful, thoughtfully redesigned garden."

The solution came swiftly: landscape architect Ulrich Timm was engaged to create a master plan that would unlock the property's true potential. With barely 100 square meters to work with, every element needed purpose. The brief was ambitious—a generous terrace, a sandstone fountain echoing those found in Potsdam's heritage gardens, and above all, an atmosphere of tranquility. Two existing features provided the foundation: a striking yew specimen (Taxus baccata) and a protective privet hedge along the street boundary. Another key requirement: the owner's prized home-grown bonsai collection needed a serene showcase. The design philosophy balanced contemporary sensibility with the villa's classical language—reflecting the façade's timeless message of refined elegance and thoughtful detail. A graceful staircase descends from the upper terrace toward the entrance, now framed by the delicate cream blooms of 'Annabelle' hydrangeas, leading to an entry court that doubles as the driveway. To distinguish public passage from private sanctuary, the existing paving was reshaped in a subtle ellipse, carving space for a double-layered hedge wall. Two elegant arcs create the effect: a taller hornbeam hedge (Carpinus betulus) backed by a one-meter yew hedge (Taxus baccata). The result: the entrance gains definition, the living garden remains distinctly private, and the Silesian sandstone fountain finds its perfect home.

The heart of the composition is a 4.50 x 4.50 meter terrace in Belgian bluestone—its warm, inviting tone sets the mood. This is where the whole family gathers, where the grill operates, and where the bonsai treasures take center stage. To amplify the sense of enclosure and spatial definition in this modest garden, tall-stemmed hornbeam standards frame the privacy hedge. Summer brings two impressive oleander specimens in large containers—unmissable focal points. Comfort and leisure were paramount, so technology handles the upkeep. An automated mower maintains the turf, while a smart irrigation system delivers precisely the moisture every plant requires.

www.ulrichtimm.de

(Originally published in CUBE Berlin 01|20)