The pool at the heart of the design – Atrium garden in the Ahr valley

When it came to designing the courtyard between the main house and the bungalow at the bottom of the garden, our clients needed to make a few big decisions. The most important was to forego a lawn in favour of a pool, which became the centrepiece of the design. Lined up with the glass front of the bungalow, the water’s reflective surface illuminates the courtyard and inside space. The long and narrow shape is ideal for swimmers, while adding to the overall aesthetic. Surrounded by volcanic basalt rocks and multi-layered planting, there is an endless variety of scenes reflect in its surface which brings a sense of serenity.