The private garden project is created and realised by AFA Dacha (AFA’s private residential division). It harmoniously combines laconic forms, a variety of textures and a range of functional possibilities. The balance of contemporary and the atmosphere of a traditional private garden makes it a place to recharge, relax, and commune with nature.
Details start to set the tone of the garden from the main gate. The entrance forecourt is deliberately concise and ceremonial in contrast to deeper zones. The path leads to three modular houses, each with its own private patio. The terraces and fire pits are surrounded by green hedges of varying heights, creating a genuine sense of comfort.
Further on, the core of the project is revealed — a panoramic glazed pavilion. A lounge area equally suited to intimate gatherings and larger events. It contains a suspended fireplace, larch tables, designer lighting and a bar counter oriented toward the river.The pavilion is designed for year-round use: an integrated home automation system closes the louvered roof during rain and activates lighting and heating at dusk. Enjoying tea by the fire, one can observe the river landscape accompanied by the ambient sounds of nature.
A few steps away from the pavilion is a wood play house offering various activities for children of different ages: a slide, a carousel, a texture play pit with bark mulch, and even an impromptu mini-kitchen.
Midway along the route there is a rabbit sculpture by Olga Muravina. Positioned seamlessly between the entrance and main areas, the most enchanting and vibrant parts of the grounds, it has become a symbol of this place. It has been accompanying the project from its construction phase to its full realization.
The planting strategy unfolds with increasing intensity. From a minimalist composition near the entrance to a vibrant, layered planting scheme deeper within the garden. With each step, new accents emerge. The garden includes 120 plant species, including 74 herbaceous perennials, while the lawn occupies less than 1% of the total area.
The garden offers seasonal harvests and a sensory interplay of textures and aromas. Foodscaping is seamlessly integrated into the landscape: strawberries, serviceberry (irga), apple trees, black chokeberry, blueberries, currants, and raspberries. Adjacent to the all-season hot tub, aromatic herb beds are integrated into the decking — an inviting place to pick fresh herbs (mint, lemon balm, thyme) and enjoy their fragrance while unwinding.
Every element of the garden was developed in close collaboration with the client. The synthesis of original ideas, technical solutions, and environmentally responsible materials has resulted in a distinctive space for both active use and quiet retreat — shaped by moments of serenity and rich sensory experience.
Landscape Architect: AFA
Location: Nemchinovo village, Moscow, Russia
Area: 0.27 ha
Design year: 2023 – 2025
Year of construction: 2025
Manufacturer of urban equipment: Richter Spielgeräte
Photo: Mikhail Shcheglov