Quinta do lago, Portugal

Our clients had commissioned a modern villa in Portugal and wanted a garden that would complement the sleek architectural profile of the house. Despite water shortages, many of the surrounding houses featured pristine lawns requiring a lot of irrigation. Our concept focused on the surrounding Portuguese landscape to create something contextual, unique and contemporary.

A wilder, indigenous garden features native species which reintroduce variety and sustainability to the landscape, a gravel garden, and a cork oak plantation linking back to the wider landscape. Reclaimed stone boulders are used to create a ‘dry river’, an arid counterpoint to the lush planting which also keeps weeds at bay.

Distinctive planting including grasses, colourful perennials, creeping groundcovers, herbs, shrubs and tall pines contrasts with the clean, modern lines of the house. Textured foliage combines with sharply defined terraces and decks and refreshing pools, resulting in a play of light and shadows as the path of the sun moves across the garden.