Hanging Garden

Set on a steeply sloping plot with a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees, Le Jardin de Carla is a topographical challenge transformed into a contemporary recreational space. Balancing extreme constraints with the enhancement of the landscape, it combines a summer house, a swimming pool, wooden terraces, and understated, modern landscaping.

Context

The project originated from a private client’s desire to develop a fallow, extremely steep plot (up to a 45% incline) lacking conventional access. The project required exceptional technical solutions, such as the use of long-reach cranes. The goal: to create a summer living space offering privacy, comfort, and an open view of the Pyrenean panorama, while respecting the shared visibility of the landscape within the context of a listed village.

Intention

The approach consisted of turning the topographical constraint into an asset by installing a compact (under 20 m²) yet fully equipped summer house (kitchen, bathroom, and living room) with maximum opening to the outdoors. The panoramic view and co-visibility issues were resolved through adjusted orientation and the addition of a privacy screen. However, the primary focus was on the development of the outdoor spaces, featuring a succession of large wooden terraces on stilts across different levels, offering multiple areas with distinct atmospheres organized around retaining structures and a swimming pool.

Creation

The project features modern, clean lines: a flat roof, rough-hewn and openwork wood siding for the building, and extensive use of wood for the outdoor landscaping to ensure seamless integration into the surroundings, all of which was approved by the Architect of the “Bâtiments de France”. The main technical challenge was the overall stabilization of the site, which required the use of vibrated gabions combined with support structures made of oak sleepers forming planting beds.

Symbolic Dimension

The client wished to enrich the site with an evocative, non-figurative element inspired by Pre-Columbian constructions (Aztec, Mayan) in the form of a monumental staircase reminiscent of a temple base. This symbolic touch gives the site a cultural and spiritual resonance, echoing its natural environment and the experience of contemplation.

Year

2015

Place

Carla, Ariège, Pyrenees

Materials

Wood, gabions.

A photograph of a garden staircase reminiscent of the steps of an ancient temple, serving as the link between the upper level (access path, pool house, and wooden deck) and the middle level (large wooden deck) of the space.
Cross-section of a large garden, originally sloped and laid out in terraces,
Floor plan of a pool house (a small studio attached to a swimming pool) with a wooden deck, designed to fit the geometry and topography of the lot.
Sketch of the project's lower and intermediate terraces, viewed from the access path.
A schematic map showing the topography of a site to be developed.
Draft plan of a large garden, originally very steep then landscaped into terraces.
Sketch of the garden staircase project, reminiscent of the steps of an ancient temple,
Wooden pool house (small studio attached to a swimming pool) with a terrace and wooden garden furniture.
Construction site photograph after the completion of the first terrace in the upper part of the garden.
Photograph of the upper terrace of the garden, the pool house and, in the background, the village church against a blue sky.
Photograph showing the installation of the retaining gabions using a large crane.
Photograph showing the intersection of the garden, with the entrance to the pool house and the upper terrace on the left, and the top of the grand staircase leading to the large terrace and its pool on the right.
Very large wooden terrace under construction.
Photograph showing a staircase and the retaining system created using gabions. The middle section shows a system of cultivation terraces made from oak sleepers.
Panoramic view of the property, featuring the pool house in the background, a large terrace with a pool, and the paved path leading to it.
The photograph shows the path leading down from the garden's designer entrance gate, featuring wide steps made of oak sleepers combined with gabions.
Photograph showing the view of the Pyrenees and the rolling hills in between, shrouded in a blanket of fog. In the foreground is the large wooden deck, featuring a lap pool.
Terraced planting beds made of oak sleepers, supporting the upper level (access path).
View of the Pyrenees and the Ariège countryside from the upper terrace of the garden, with its wooden and rope railing. In the foreground: a large wooden terrace with a swimming pool.

Photo credits, drawings, and plans: Alexandre Drabzak.

"From the design conception stage through to the technical drawings and submissions to the local authorities Alexandre Drabzak was a key part to us successfully achieving the permits required for the works to be undertaken. Alexandre was an asset to our project and I would thoroughly recommend him to others wishing to undertake these types of developments."

Oliver Pringle

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