A Fairytale Woodland by the Lake
Region of Moscow, Russia
Description: Landscape garden
Location: Moscow region, Russia
Area: 6255 Sq.m.
Stages: Concept design to Construction follow-up
Status: Completed
Period: 2016-2018
Client: Private
Architects: Studio Alexander Brodsky
Project Management, Engineering: Shafran
Landscape Contractor: Orange Garden
Lighting: Djao-Rakitine and Viabizzuno
Djao-Rakitine Team: Irene Djao-Rakitine, Povilas Marozas, Charles Dujardin, Hortense Blanchard
Existing semi-mature pine trees have been transplanted to create a formal alleyway leading to the lake. Photo by Olga Alexeyenko.
A winding path was designed to traverse the different atmospheres of the park, from the enclosed environment of the woods to the horizon of the lake.
Rhododendrons of different species and season qualities interact with the gentle and festively light that leads the user along the path. Photo by Olga Alexeyenko.
Different light features illuminate some of the pines in the alley as well as the reed and the woodland, creating a vibrant and interesting landscape in the darker hours. Photo by Olga Alexeyenko.
Subtle lighting mixed with the lakeshore reeds.
A natural stone retaining wall built to create a mound around a large existing birch tree.
A collection of rhododendrons and azaleas has been planted throughout the pine and birch woodland.
The natural look of the shore lake has been preserved, including willow trees and reeds.
Landscape masterplan.
The project suggests to clear the lower part of the land to create framed views on the lake.
The site is located in a woodland area, in the Klyazminskoye Vodokhranilishche riverside, to the north of Moscow. The project focused on creating a promenade inspired by Russian fairytales through a birch and pine trees woodland toward the lake located at the edge of the site.
Following the natural topography of the land, a narrow meandering pathway offers a multitude of viewpoints on the garden, and wider landscape thanks to its sinuous shape. New picturesque scenes are offered to the walker at every turn. Lake views a frame by a long axis of pine trees transplanted from the site, and a small orchard of apple and cherry trees. A generous timber path connects the main terrace of the house to the lake shore, transforming into a pontoon on the lake.
After the winter season and the garden covered by snow, nature is reborn, and a collection of rhododendrons is revealed amongst birch and pines trees. The existing woodland is planted with a collection of rhododendrons, providing bright orange, pink and red colours amongst the pines and birch trees. In springtime, the rhododendrons give a magical atmosphere with their bright orange, red, yellow, and pink nuances. This show is temporary; it ends when the very warm and continental summer weather takes place.
At the end of the woodland, a flower meadow offers a large open space for leisure and leads to the lake. In this area, meandering paths and French perspectives meet to highlight the surrounding landscape.
When the sun goes down and short winter days come back, subtle lighting transforms the garden and reveals some exceptional scenes within the landscape garden.
All images are © Djao-Rakitine, unless otherwise stated.
