01. The Challenge and The Fundamental approaches
The soil in the area was very poor, and a large portion of it was removed during the construction phase. During the filling stage, since the surrounding garden walls were completed, only small machinery could enter the area. Outside the garden, we worked simultaneously with three large machines, such as Manitou, and inside the area, we used three smaller machines. Of course, due to the large amount of soil filling, the biggest challenge was compacting the soil to the desired quality. We achieved this compaction using rollers, compactors, and plenty of water. Since the work was done in the summer and the weather was very hot, we were able to use water as needed.
First of all, the houses were very close to each other, and we needed to define the boundaries without using any structural materials, while also ensuring that the area wouldn’t be narrowed. In fact, everyone’s garden should appear as part of a large, spacious garden for the entire site. A very delicate and special design was required. It shouldn’t be a shared garden, yet at the same time, the gardens should not be separated in a way that would make them feel isolated.
- In fact, the goal was to transform a site with very limited landscaping space into a site that appears to have a spacious and open landscape,
- The idea was to create a central area with walkable paths around it, utilizing the elevation difference in the space, and to create the sound of flowing water by directing water through steps,
- We wanted to create easy-to-maintain, sustainable green spaces,
- We used plants of different sizes, including large ones, in the central area. Our goal was to create a pleasant level of privacy by ensuring the houses do not have visual contact with each other while using their gardens. At the same time, the large trees we planted in the center, such as Linden, Acacia, Cherry Blossom, and Plum trees, also provide shade to the lawn area and the houses,
- We designed the walking paths only at the entrances of the houses, using stepping stones among the grass. We didn’t create any walking paths in the back gardens. We allowed the area to be naturally traversed, and we didn’t use any structural materials in that space,
- In fact, the green areas were very limited in relation to the living spaces of the houses, and the houses were very close to each other. Therefore, we used lighting only along the pool edges and at the house entrances. The other areas were already adequately lit by the house's own terrace lights. There was no need for a brighter environment. When people are using their gardens, it will be enough for them to turn on their own house lights. Otherwise, excessive lighting in the garden could disturb the houses. The dense and varying-sized plant and tree groups we used in the center will also help block any light reflections,
- We installed an irrigation system where every small detail was carefully considered. Since the sides of the houses are very close to each other, even small areas were taken into account, and as always, we designed the irrigation system based on sunlight and shade conditions,
- We used seasonal flowers only at the entrance of the site. In other areas, we used perennial plants with different flowers and colors at various times, creating impactful plant groups. This makes the garden a more cost-effective and low-maintenance green space.
02. The implementations and The Solution
Here, we achieved our most important goal. It became a spacious, wide, and functional garden. It feels like a single garden, yet each house has its own private garden that can be used independently by the residents.
- After days of using small and large machinery, compactors, rollers, and water for compaction, we created a beautiful garden that will not settle for years. In some areas, we filled up to 150 cm. Since the soil was filled with air pockets, it could have settled over time, but with slow and detailed work, we prevented this from happening,
- It became a beautiful plant design where we can bring out different colors and features throughout the 12 months, allowing us to enjoy the essence of each season,
- We created a special blend of grass that is resistant to sun, shade, and foot traffic, and applied different types of grass to various areas based on their conditions. This was crucial for ensuring the grass would be long-lasting and healthy,
- We also used wooden materials for some of the details in the area. As always, this adds a natural touch to the space.
- By using dividers between the grass and plants, we ensure that the garden remains low-maintenance and sustainable. With weed control, the garden continues to thrive throughout the seasons without compromising its aesthetics or quality. The irrigation system has been implemented with automation and sensors to encourage minimal water usage,
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03. The Result
We designed each house individually based on its location and garden. Although we created an overall design for all of them, thanks to our detailed and professional approach, the houses were sold immediately as soon as the landscaping was completed. A proper soil leveling, high-quality and suitable grass installation, a well-designed and tasteful plant application, meticulous craftsmanship from the pool to the walkways, thoughtful lighting designed with the same care as each homeowner living there, and continuous oversight with precise control have all contributed to creating a highly successful outcome.