Water, Stone, Wood, Plants
Through intelligent planning and skilled craftsmanship, a small residential garden is transformed into a harmonious retreat. Within a limited space, natural stone, water, wood and plants come together to form a balanced and inviting whole.
In the heart of Bassersdorf, a richly structured natural garden has been created, designed to define distinct outdoor rooms and transform the exterior space into a place to live and relax. By opening a carefully positioned gap in the existing hedge, the sense of space was significantly enhanced: new visual connections were created, pathways became more inviting, and the garden gained depth.
A key design element is the seating wall made of Bolliger sandstone, which appears to emerge directly from the atmospheric pond. This water feature forms the emotional heart of the garden – it has a calming effect, invites visitors to linger, and brings movement, light reflections and natural sounds into the overall composition.
A privacy screen made of locally sourced larch further structures the space and blends harmoniously into the natural design through its warm material character.
The planting concept consists of diverse perennial mixes ranging from lush, shady plantings to sparse, ruderal vegetation. This creates a vibrant mosaic of forms, colours and textures – carefully adapted to challenging site conditions and offering high ecological value.
Additional biodiversity features such as deadwood elements and stone piles provide habitats for insects, small animals and micro-ecosystems, turning the garden into a genuine refuge for nature. Despite the challenge that most of the garden is located on a subterranean parking deck, the key design elements were precisely concentrated. Together, they form an outdoor living space that successfully combines functionality, atmosphere and ecological quality.
Visit us at gartist.ch for further inspiration, or experience our work in our garden in Bubikon and at Giardina 2026.
