Ryad: A Fusion of Hispanic and Muslim Cultures in Garden Design

Fernando Pozuelo's Award-Winning Nazari Style Private Garden

The inspiration behind Ryad came from the owners' deep Hispanic roots and their desire to incorporate the tranquility, light, color, and aromas typical of a Nazari garden. This led Pozuelo to design a unique garden that symbolizes peace between Hispanic and Muslim cultures.

The 3000 square meters terrain was transformed into a Nazari style garden, a space that communicates peace and inspiration. The project involved the renovation of the swimming pool, the floorings, and the entry side, as well as new painting for the facade and restyling with new ironwork and archways with fabric that produce an Arabic atmosphere. Comprehensive work in gardening, watering, and lighting was also carried out.

The design realization technology involved a classic cross-shaped pattern repeated on the lighting structures and bas-relieves placed on the forge retaining walls. A variety of arboreal plant material was used, including holm, cypress, orange, pomegranate, and palm trees. Bushes like lavender, thyme, and jasmine were also incorporated, along with more flowery and grassy species like daisy, periwinkle, and fresh mint.

One of the key challenges in this design was the pool, which was intended to play the role of a pond, with stones placed all around and water cascading in laminar flows. This flow led to the upper area of the garden, where new emerging springs and the Arab light towers are placed. This design achieved the spiritual uplifting which is the main goal of this garden, while reducing the need for maintenance and water consumption by up to 40%.

The project, which started in May 2016 and was completed in July 2017, involved modernizing an old country house and turning it into a realm of peace and quiet. The facade was renewed, civil work was done on the pavings and the swimming pool, and retaining walls were built. Gardening, irrigation, and the reservoir, as well as lighting, furniture, and accessories were also comprehensively dealt with.

In conclusion, Ryad is a unique and natural ambiance, using water as a guiding theme that brings serenity to the whole. It is a testament to Fernando Pozuelo's innovative approach to landscape design, and a deserving winner of the prestigious Golden A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award in 2020.