Moscow Garden

This garden is located on the outskirts of Moscow within an existing pine woodland with an under storey of limes and oak. The house is a large contemporary chalet of glass and timber construction. The concept for this garden is “Projection” The concrete walls that define the garden spaces project from the house into the garden like spines that hold the structure of the garden together. The garden, its land form and its planting are seen against these screens with sunlight and shadow projected against the surface of the walls. Lighting provides a theatrical display as darkness falls and planting is used to add colour and softness to these structures. They enclose views across the garden in both directions, providing controlled glimpses of sculpture, birch or pine trees. Transparent concrete which allows light to pass through is suggested, creating a more intricate display of light and shadow and glowing in the evening light. The solid walls are planted with Parthenocissus which produces vibrant autumn colour, creating the possibility of crimson foliage covering one side of each wall to create texture and changing colour patterns The pavilion is a glazed box which acts as a lantern in the garden as darkness falls. The deck projects to the front of the building offering a viewing platform looking back to the house. Timber is used for the boundary walls, which should glow in the light as the wood silvers with age. The horizontal slats of the fence structure would be contrasted with the tall verticals of the existing pines, limes and oaks.