A Contemporary Vision: The Garden’s Evolution in Suna

CLIENT : James

YEAR : start of the project October 2022

SERVICES: 6 months

PARTNERS :

Coordinator Alberto Mosini

Alex Fuccinecco Gardener 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

While the restoration of the house focused on honoring its 1900s soul, the outdoor space required a more pragmatic, forward-thinking approach. Initially, we envisioned a traditional green lawn interlaced with granite walkways for vehicle access. However, the reality of being nestled in Suna’s historic center posed a challenge: the surrounding stone walls created deep shadows, making a healthy natural lawn a difficult “gamble.”

The Collaborative Pivot

The turning point for the landscape came through a close collaboration between myself, the owner, and our expert gardener, Alex. Understanding that the owner—with his background in theater design—wanted a space that was as functional as it was visual, Alex helped us study a solution that moved beyond the “trial and error” of natural grass.

Together, we pivoted toward a magnificent contemporary design that traded high-maintenance turf for a sophisticated, manageable landscape.

This new direction was specifically designed to harmonize with the home’s most striking features. Alex’s vision ensured that the garden would:

  • Elevate the Materials: The new textures and tones were chosen to make the original stone and granite work pop.

  • Highlight the Winter Garden: A central pillar of this renovation is the Winter Garden. We needed the landscape to serve as its perfect “stage,” framing the glass structure and blurring the lines between the interior and the outdoors.

  • Sustainable Beauty: By selecting plants and surfaces that thrive in the local microclimate, we created a space that remains pristine year-round with minimal effort.

The result is a garden that doesn’t just sit next to the house—it breathes with it. It is a modern, intentional space that honors the greenery by treating it like a piece of living art, perfectly in line with the refined soul of this lakeside residence.