A Wild Sylt-Inspired Garden: A Landscape of Cliffs, Flower Valleys, and Riverside Views.

This project is a garden designed in the spirit of the wild German island of Sylt — known as the “Queen of the North Sea.” The landscape echoes the island’s dramatic terrain with 8-meter cliffs, a sweeping flower valley stretching across hills, a swing set on a cape, and viewing platforms for breathtaking river sunsets.

The private residence occupies a three-hectare site located on a cape by the river, with a naturally hilly topography reminiscent of an island. The client, who is deeply in love with the nature of Sylt, chose this location specifically for its resemblance to the wild northern coastline.

Our challenge was to create a sophisticated landscape structure that balanced the existing wild nature with the planned development of residential buildings (a patio, a children’s house, and a garage). We designed a well-integrated system of roads and walking paths to support both recreation and family life, as well as convenient access points to the river — with slopes of 5 to 8 meters in height. The patio area was envisioned as the main relaxation zone, situated dramatically on the edge of the cape.

Near the main house, we enhanced the green mass to provide privacy from the outside. The open lawn in front of the house was carefully cleared of excess trees and framed with more substantial shrubs. Within the forested part of the site, we introduced a circular wooden deck — the “heart of the forest” — a central destination connected by all the walking routes. Along these paths, we placed art objects that enrich the journey. A decorative vegetable garden is tucked discreetly behind the garage, hidden from view during less ornamental seasons.

In areas where the terrain drops sharply toward the river (up to 8 meters), we constructed two cantilevered viewing platforms. One features seating enclosed by glass railings, while the other extends to a sunken hot tub — a place where residents and guests can relax while suspended above the landscape, taking in the panoramic river views.

One of the most distinctive elements of the garden is the flower valley — a continuous ribbon of planting that forms the main movement route while also serving as a unifying design gesture. Beginning at the entrance to the property, the valley flows between the main house and the children’s house, then descends through a ravine and down to the river. This feature not only defines the aesthetic but also performs as a bioretention system, managing surface water naturally.

The site also includes an orchard composed of a blend of meadow and woodland plants, ensuring a dynamic and uninterrupted bloom across all seasons.