In an environment like this, home becomes a true sanctuary. The expansive, carefully screened garden invites you to create memories with family and friends, or simply unwind with your thoughts. A swimming pool, wellness area, and modern outdoor kitchen deliver that coveted vacation feeling right at home. The house's generous glass frontage further blurs the boundary between inside and out, framing spectacular views of the garden at every turn—the owners regard it as an extension of their living space. It's no wonder they wake up grateful each day that the garden design was prioritized from the very beginning of the renovation.

This minimalist residence and its gardens date to the 1960s and were originally designed by an architect. Before the redesign, the garden's playful, ornamental character clashed with the house's disciplined architectural language. The challenge for landscape specialists Thomas Heumann was clear: create a new garden that feels orderly yet warm, never austere. The existing natural stonework would be retained and reinterpreted, as would the magnificent mature yew grove that had grown wild over the years. The team embraced this vision wholeheartedly. The refined dry-stone walls were woven into the new design, then complemented with premium materials—timber and large-format brushed concrete—that speak the same design language. The yews themselves were artfully pruned into flowing, organic forms that serve as both striking focal points and graceful screens. Beyond the yews, every tree and shrub was replanted with intention, including several remarkable specimens: an unusually large bald cypress and a towering eight-meter dogwood among them. The planting palette was carefully orchestrated to deliver visual interest and emotional resonance throughout the seasons.

The gate installation is a masterpiece in its own right. Originally, the driveway was painfully visible from neighboring properties. Working closely with both the metalsmith and architect Bernd Kresser—who oversaw the house renovation—the Heumann team crafted a gate system that screens the approach while projecting quiet elegance and sophistication. This collaborative spirit among architects, builders, craftspeople, and owners proved essential to translating a unified design vision into reality—and stands as a cornerstone of the project's success. Interior and exterior flow seamlessly together. Modern and rustic elements create a composed yet expressive dialogue, establishing an atmosphere that feels both refined and genuinely welcoming. The outcome: a beautifully balanced sanctuary.

www.theumann.de

Photography Credits:

Gary Rogers
www.garyrogers-foto.com

(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 01|21)