Architectural garden in hillside location, Schwelm

A plot of land in the Bergisches Land region with a height difference of over 16 metres required a great deal of planning skill.

Architectural rigour meets moving terrain: steep planting and lawn areas alternate, a staircase of greywacke block steps leads up to the highest point of the garden and ends in a seating area. From here, the entire garden can be overlooked. A lush planting with various flowering ornamental shrubs, such as rhododendrons, hydrangeas and forest edge perennials also offers a magnificent view from the terrace at the house.

To create more space for usable areas, natural stone walls were created to intercept the terrain. Thus, a cozy pool area with wooden deck could be created.

The 1,280 m² property on the edge of the forest (in the Bergisches Land region), which is hardly usable due to its steep slope, was to become a relaxation and adventure space for the whole family. The desire for a large pool and several, easily accessible lounging areas of different quality and size were the vision that had to be implemented on a 30% slope and 12 m difference in height.

Today, the clearly architecturally structured garden invites you to relax and celebrate, swim and chill on different levels. The terrace at the house with splashing water basin offers space for convivial evenings with friends, a bench at "half height" serves as a focal point and from the small seating area high on the edge of the forest you can look far into the Bergisches Land. All levels are connected by stairs lying as a matter of course in the terrain with each other and over a way one reaches even the upper edge of the forest and can begin directly with its forest walk.

By the careful cutting of the slope - with consideration of the existing layer water after evaluation of geological expert's assessments - a heated pool with countercurrent plant and energy-saving covers could be integrated in such a way in the garden that the surrounding retaining walls serve at the same time as wind protection and heat accumulator.
So you can enjoy the warmth on the wooden bench in front of it even in mountainous summers. A fitted garden house provides space for cushions and pool equipment and serves in winter as a wardrobe for the bathrobe.

In order to achieve a high quality, low-maintenance and long-lasting garden, all paths, terraces, steps and natural stone walls are made of regional greywacke. This also meant that long transport routes could be dispensed with. The desired exact workmanship required intensive detailed planning down to the smallest detail. A well thought-out lighting concept makes the garden also in the evening experience and gives it a very special atmosphere.

The existing woody plants were preserved and included in the planning. To give the modern garden more depth, evergreen hedge elements made of yews structure the garden space. The carefully selected plants take into account the local climate. At the house, shrub peonies and camellias could be planted due to the sheltered location, around the pool lavender and sage are fragrant in summer and in the upper garden area native spring bloomers such as larkspur and wood anemone create the transition to the natural forest. The intense fall color of various shrubs provides another highlight in the garden year.

This garden received an appreciation award at the 2012 North Rhine-Westphalia LandscapeArchitecturePrize.