A sprawling former industrial site in Dortmund has been reimagined as Phoenix Lake, an artificial expanse that dwarfs even Hamburg's Binnenalster. The shoreline has transformed into a vibrant mixed-use district—offices, boutiques, and residences cluster around a bustling harbour. On the northern shore, elegant city villas nestle into rolling terrain, each commanding sweeping views across the water.

One villa's owner cherished the vista but struggled with an uninspiring garden. The initial alpine design—a modest 500 m² area with a pool—felt disconnected. A redesign years later offered improvements, yet fell short of creating real excitement. So the owner made a bold third attempt, enlisting garden designer Benedikt Hullmann from Gelsenkirchen. After thorough analysis, Hullmann invested six months in a meticulous masterplan. The challenge was substantial: a dramatic three-to-four-metre elevation change between front and back gardens, plus strict building regulations demanded every ounce of his creativity. The result speaks for itself—a garden where every square centimetre captures the owner's dream of Mediterranean charm and peaceful retreat, brimming with innovative thinking and refined detail, all delivered on an impressively tight construction schedule.

The garden was rebuilt from scratch, preserving only the pool foundation. To establish visual and spatial harmony, Hullmann selected Traco's Limes Dolomit—a warm grey-beige limestone suited to every application, from block steps and exposed aggregate panels to wall cladding. The technical infrastructure sits discreetly tucked into the slope below the sunken terrace, with palm trees rising above, some flush with grade. The natural stone pool dominates the landscape, featuring two distinct basins: an integrated whirlpool with adjacent seating, and a dramatic infinity edge. Every detail exhibits sophisticated engineering—from the crystalline glass of the infinity-style whirlpool to the custom roll-shade mechanism concealed within the waterside bench. A striking limestone block anchors the seating area as a fireplace, with all outdoor lighting controlled via intelligent bus technology. Below the villa entrance, a dining pavilion flows seamlessly into a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. The entrance itself presents an architectural statement: a substantial water basin with a glazed walkway that functions as a floating bridge into the house. This basin crowns a prefabricated concrete garage wrapped in a protective steel frame—the hidden engine that houses a bespoke kitchen Hullmann co-designed with a specialist carpentry team.

www.gartenbau-hullmann.de

Photography Credits:

Traco

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 02|20)