Not every garden has magic in it. Not every house has a soul in it. But when the right people meet - investors who are aware of their needs and an architect who feels the space like few others - a place is created that stays in the memory for a long time. Such is the case with this villa near Krakow. On a gentle slope, where the landscape itself prompted the direction of action, a house immersed in greenery was created, wrapped in a garden that seems to live its own rhythm. All this is due to Paulina Bednarz of the Krakow-based studio Mango Investments, who showed how to masterfully use the natural terrain.
A house near Krakow surrounds a beautiful garden - the building was designed for parents and two children
© Mango Investments
Minimalist residence in the heart of nature
- Architecture that harmonizes with the landscape
A modern single-family residence with a minimalist form fits perfectly into the picturesque landscape of the escarpment near Krakow. The simple, geometric body, whose facades are made of smooth plaster, has been juxtaposed with dark, large windows and wooden facade panels. A spacious terrace with a pergola has been designed on the first floor - an ideal relaxation zone where the family can enjoy morning coffee or evening relaxation surrounded by greenery. The house, partially integrated into the natural terrain, is surrounded by a low wall with discreet lighting, which subtly emphasizes the modern character of the building. The carefully designed garden is full of tall grasses and lush shrubs that create a natural cover and an intimate atmosphere. A pool with sun loungers, harmoniously blended into the greenery, is a recreational asset to the entire property. A staircase leading through the different levels of the site seamlessly connects the house to the surrounding landscape, while highlighting how architecture and nature work together here in perfect harmony.
Ornamental trees have appeared in the area of the main entrance to the house and the garage entrance
© Mango Investments
The slope that became an asset
The plot was challenging - sloping, with a clear difference in levels. For some investors this would have been an obstacle. For Paulina Bednarz - an opportunity. The garden was planned here in layers, using natural slopes. The highest part, adjacent to the street, has been sheltered by greenery, which gives the householders a sense of privacy, and at the same time welcomes guests with an elegant representative setting. Along the borders of the plot appeared plants with a columnar habit, which optically lengthen the space and give it rhythm, as well as field maples, which in time will form a natural frame of the entire composition.
Modern body of the house against the background of the green garden
© Mango Investments
The heart of the garden - the zone of life and rest
The lower, the more private. The terrace, which almost imperceptibly turns into a garden living room, has become the focal point of daily life. This is where family life takes place in the summer - morning breakfasts, afternoon coffee and bathing in the phenomenal pool, in which the clouds and treetops are reflected. The greenery around the terrace was chosen to be both subtle and spectacular. In large ceramic pots appeared plants with a light, grassy character, which beautifully wave in the wind, adding softness to the whole space. Between them bloomed lavenders, whose aroma floats in the air, and sedums, attracting butterflies and bees. These perennials are not only beautiful, but also resistant to the vagaries of the weather - perfect for a modern garden that is meant to enjoy, not absorb.
In this design, the terrace becomes the focal point of daily life
© Mango Investments
From the botanical garden - beds that teem with life
In the farther parts of the garden - where the slope becomes steeper and the landscape opens up to the horizon - flowerbeds full of plants that draw the eye and life have appeared. Between the perennials emerge garden hydrangeas, fragrant jasmine plants, as well as taller shrubs that form a backdrop to the composition and work well as groundcover and filler plants. The strength of this garden lies in the harmony, variability and rhythm of the seasons.
Plants were selected so that they do not require frequent pruning or watering
© Mango Investments
Minimum work, maximum effect
One of the most important assumptions was that the garden should not be another chore, but a pleasure. Plants were selected so that they did not require frequent pruning or watering. The automatic watering system makes watering almost unnoticeable, and the garden itself requires only 2-3 visits by a gardener per year - in spring, after the season and possibly before winter. So the owners can enjoy the space - drink coffee in the shade of a birch tree, relax on a lounger by the pool, listen to the birds sing. It's a garden that breathes along with the house and its inhabitants. You can feel the inspiration of casual gardens in the design, while the spirit of modern minimalism and functionality is present. It's a place where aesthetics meets practice, and form follows function.
The garden was planned in layers, using natural slopes
© Mango Investments
A house that doesn't pretend - it lives
The villa near Krakow is more than an elegant address. It's a house that really works - in harmony with the landscape, with the rhythm of the family, with respect for nature. It shows that good landscaping is not a decoration, but an integral part of everyday life. It is a garden that not only pleases the eye, but also creates a quality of life.
Worth knowing (for future investors):
- The slope does not have to be a problem. It can become an inspiring element of the garden composition.
- Perennial, drought-resistantplants are allies of modern, ecological gardens.
- Automatic irrigation systems are an investment that pays off with comfort and beauty throughout the season.
- Column and multi-tiered greenery is a way to have privacy without fencing off a wall.
- Large-size pots allow for mobility and easier maintenance.
If you dream of a garden that lives in the rhythm of your family - be inspired by this place. It proves that luxury doesn't have to be flashy. It can be subtle, smart, balanced. And beautiful - like this house on the Krakow escarpment.
