A Thoughtful Reimagining

The team at Koeber Landscape Architecture reshaped the topography to allow the garden to open gracefully into a sweeping elliptical lawn, accessed by a broad staircase descending from the terrace.

A referral led the family to Jochen Koeber with an ambitious vision: to redesign their expansive garden with restraint and understated elegance, while making water a central design feature.

The original garden had been oriented visually toward a garage, with multiple levels connected only by narrow stairs. A deteriorating garden house sat awkwardly on a ledge, disrupting views. Koeber Landschaftsarchitektur transformed the topography, opening the garden into a generous elliptical lawn accessible via a sweeping staircase from the terrace. At the owners' request, landscape architect Bettina Jaugstetter joined the team, bringing her expertise as a master perennial planner to develop a naturalistic planting scheme. Recognizing that healthy soil structure was crucial, the team minimized excavation, allowing the garden to recover its lush character quickly. Unnecessary walls gave way to softer, more flowing lines. The design drew inspiration from the classical gardener's ellipse—traditionally drawn with two stakes and a rope—but rather than arranging these geometric forms (the water basin, seating area, and lawn) along a rigid axis, the team positioned them in a relaxed, organic composition.

A cistern beneath the terrace collects rainwater for the irrigation system and pond maintenance, reducing reliance on potable water while providing the soft, mineral-free conditions the pond requires. Computer-controlled irrigation ensures the perennials in the tree canopies receive adequate water. The red sandstone references traditional Stuttgart gardens, while a historic Cannstatt travertine cyclopean wall was carefully dismantled during construction and faithfully reconstructed. Particularly demanding were the traditional craft techniques—including the polygonal paving that forms the pond edge and the top step of the staircase. The greatest challenge lay in protecting the garden's impressive existing tree stock during renovation. Adding to the complexity: site access was limited to a narrow side street served only by a ramp, making logistics precarious and requiring the contractor to execute a methodical, cautious retreat from the site.

After nine months of planning and construction, the owners and landscape architects celebrated the completed garden together at a festive garden gathering.

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