Last year, we had the pleasure of converting the garden of Swiss musician Marc Sway. The young family wanted both a meeting place and a retreat. Their personal needs were the focus right from the start and were taken into account during the planning phase.
In the following video, Marc Sway personally explains how the conversion went from planning to implementation and which moments he particularly remembers.
Before the garden redesign
The family previously had a typical garden, as is often seen in Switzerland. It was not very attractive and consisted practically only of lawn and individual trees and hedges at the edge of the property. There was a small covered seating area, which was used for eating.
The aim was to create a garden that would serve the whole family. The children should have their own bathing paradise and at the same time privacy should be taken into account. It was also clear that the whole space had to be used, as there was a lot of potential lying idle. The family likes to celebrate and spoil their loved ones. It was therefore necessary to ensure that the entire area could be used.
The garden during the renovation
Once all the wishes had been put on paper, the construction work could begin. Before the wishes could be fulfilled, the site had to be cleared. As Marc Sway told us, this initial phase was a bit of a sureal for him. Suddenly the whole garden was gone and he was faced with a brown area. In moments where imagination is required, one thing is needed above all: trust in the process. As Marc himself says, the team always supported him well in such situations so that he could relax and enjoy the progress.
Nevertheless, it took a lot of imagination to visualize the future oasis of well-being during this phase. To sweeten this waiting time, Marc was also allowed to get behind the wheel of an excavator and dig out his garden himself.
The family opted for a living pool in the garden. Unlike conventional chlorine pools, this one is cleaned without chemicals. This means there is no skin or eye irritation. The natural pool was maneuvered into place using a crane.
As the construction work drew to a close, the planting could begin. The plants were used to breathe life into the garden. The entire area around the pool was framed with a wide variety of grasses, shrubs and trees. The varied planting brings various splashes of color to the outdoor living room.
Crystal blue bathing paradise without chemicals
The idea was not just to build a garden, but to make life more beautiful. Marc's statement was put into practice. The children can splash around carefree in the new Living Pool, while the wooden privacy screen provides the necessary privacy. The two travertine water spouts provide a visual and acoustic highlight by setting the surface in motion. At the same time, the sound of falling water is relaxing and magical.
Next to the pool is a modern lounge area where the family can relax in comfort. The wooden privacy screen merges seamlessly into the wooden deck made of Sipo and creates a homely atmosphere. In addition to its appearance, the wooden deck also serves a practical purpose. This is where the pool technology was installed. Light-colored travertine slabs were laid around the natural pool. The large slabs visually enlarge the garden and connect the house with the open-air living room.
A garden for life
As the family told us at the beginning of the planning phase, they like to enjoy their time with friends and relatives. For this reason, care was taken during implementation to ensure that the entire garden area could be used. For example, the unused area next to the existing glass roof was turned into a gravel barbecue area. Replacing the lawn with walkable areas has also created a lot of new, usable space. At the same time, the planting contributes to the homely atmosphere.
The new garden was inaugurated together as soon as the work was completed. Marc Sway and his family invited us to a cozy dinner in their garden. We were able to toast the successful project together. Now the garden can continue to grow together with the family.
Further key data on garden design
Garden planning
PARC'S Garden Design - Our partner designs a garden according to your needs.
Garden lights
Amadeo Ambiente - The Swiss online store offers a variety of planters and lamps for indoors and outdoors.
Planting in the garden
Perennials and grasses
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue' (Lavender 'Hidcote Blue')
- Echinacea purpurea 'Little Magnus' (red coneflower)
- Anemone hupehensis 'Praecox' (Early Autumn Anemone)
- Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop' (Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop')
- Galium odoratum (woodruff)
- Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'(Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies')
- Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln' (lamp cleaner grass, feather bristle grass)
Hedge
- Berberis thunbergii hedge (green hedge barberry)
Woody plants
- Amelanchier lamarckii umbrella form (copper rock pear)
- Acer palmatum (fan maple)
- Acer palmatum 'Garnet' (fan maple)
- Syringa vulgaris 'Katharine Havemeyer' (Noble lilac 'Katharine Havemeyer')
- Taxus baccata shrub (common yew)
- Hydrangea paniculata 'Bobo' (panicle hydrangea 'Bobo')
- Viburnum lantana (woolly viburnum)
