Fun and relaxation, designing a garden near Bonn

A garden for the whole family. Having fun playing between the rocks and on the slide. The terrace, which is an ideal place to spend the evening hours, is framed with basalt slabs and helps transition from the house to the paths in the garden. There is a close connection between the garden design and architecture, as well as a smooth transition from inside to outside. A strip of plants between the basalt slabs in home to flowers and grasses that change with the seasons. This project southwest of Bonn was appealing not only for how close it is to our company headquarters, but because our garden design would help create an even better home for a young family.

A bird’s eye view of the pond – Redesigning an outdoor space

After the 2021 flood in the Ahr valley, the grounds of the Augustinum retirement home in Bad Neuenahr were redesigned with the goal of creating something better. This was a very special project because the onlookers during the construction phase were the residents who now use it. At the centre of the garden is a new pond system, which leads to the nearby Kaiser Wilhelm Park.

Green oasis between office buildings – sustainable design of the grounds of the Ahrweiller District Savings Bank

Over ten years ago, the Ahrweiller District Savings Bank building was renovated and remodelled. The central theme was “urban greenery and sustainability”, so its grounds were also redesigned in a sustainable and natural way.

The outside space was not just for parking spaces, but it should also act as a “green retreat” for employees, customers and guests. The area was designed to be freely accessible, with entry points on several sides of the park. It means you can linger in this green oasis, relax and enjoy the space while shopping, or simply take a walk.

Viewing platform overlooking a valley – design of a hillside garden near Trier

As both clients are dedicated to their careers, they wanted their personal relaxation space to match the clear architecture of the house and surrounding natural landscape. Using a small selection of high-quality materials, the design needed to be peaceful but not boring. The space had to be multipurpose: the terrace by the house should include a seating area and dining space for the clients and their guests, plus a place to sit and look out over nature, as well as areas of relaxation and retreat on the different levels.

A footbridge provides an ideal viewing platform. Large metal boxes give the garden shape, highlighting the formal aesthetics of the overall design, while elegantly overcoming the differences in height without wasting valuable garden space.

A living rock garden – the design process for a garden in the Ahr Valley

Designing the Fischer project took two years, with the garden achieving its first full growing season in 2015. The initial plan was to structure the site with rocks and build different terraces. This would create a sound barrier for the noise from the road above. Rocks would be piled up on the higher ground to stop any cars from landing in the garden if they came off the road. The clients ultimately decided they could not live with that design. If possible, they wanted to avoid having any type of fence. Instead, it became important to blur the boundaries and obscure the densely built-up surrounding development. The stone structure is not just about terracing, it also forms paths that are useful for maintenance work and can become permanent pieces of furniture. Among the benefits wine growing has brought to the Ahr valley are an improved microclimate and the absorption of heat during the day, which can be enjoyed in the evening hours.

The next step was to plant large trees. For this we worked with reliable, high quality German tree nurseries. The last tree planting, which was documented by regional new channel n-tv, took place in spring 2015. This was followed by the planting of perennials, using a signature combination of perennials and grasses that Peter Berg created. This special blend of plants was unveiled to the public at the 2011 Federal Garden Show in Koblenz and later, in even greater detail, at the 2014 Regional Garden Show in Zülpich. Another feature is that the trees and perennials are not separated but interwoven.

Finally, the terrace areas were created, although the large terrace is yet to be completed. We introduced the owner to the art of paving, leading to the design of three points of entry and the garage forecourt. Sawn basalt lava is the primary material used for the entrance and three main terraces – one of which is still to be constructed. Finally, the perennial planting was further refined.

Design and nature united – nature garden in the Eifel

On a seemingly endless, slightly sloped plot of land in the Eifel; a modern house is to be built, complete with suitable outdoor facilities. The primary focus is on incorporating the expansive view of the Eifel and its forests, a stable for the client’s horses and respecting the importance of nature in regeneration and well-being.

The architect contacted us during the planning phase because he wanted an expert partner for this complex project. The aim was to create unity between the modern architecture and wider landscape without any visual limitations. The connection to nature must be present, without losing a sense of security in the vastness. This was achieved in the transition from the building to the garden – a modern outdoor design in the vastness of the Eifel.

Straight into nature – designing a garden on a slope

Inspired by the architecture, a design was created with formal but also natural elements. The floating wooden terrace is a dominant feature of the garden. We were able to convince the client and the architect to create three usable levels instead of a single large, sloped area. When we started of our construction work, the steel substructure for the wooden deck was complete. It was now our job to integrate it into the terrain. Daniel Berg took on task of placing the stone. This was particularly difficult not only because there was little room to manoeuvre at the house, but also because the goal was to make the substructure of the wooden deck disappear. Working with precision was essential, as was finding the best selection of stones to place close to the house.

Free-standing rock structures planted with perennials help transition away from the formal areas around the house – a nature-inspired design for a garden on a slope. The existing trees, a walnut and cherry, were incorporated into the new garden design.