Set around a large villa on a former olive grove, the site retains the characteristic restanques of the region: a succession of agricultural terraces supported by traditional stone walls.

The project forms part of a gradual transformation of a typical Riviera garden of irrigated lawns and lush subtropical planting towards a more environmentally responsive landscape based on drought-tolerant and xerophytic species. The new garden occupies a previously neglected vegetable garden and working area, also formerly used for storage and overflow parking.

The design draws on the site’s agricultural past through rhythmic bands of planting running across the terraces. A deliberately restrained palette relies on repetition for structure, with a limited number of flowering species emerging at different times to provide changing seasonal highlights. The garden also creates a setting for selected pieces from the client’s sculpture collection.

Former utility buildings have been enveloped in vegetation, softening their presence and creating natural nesting opportunities for birds. Together with the drought-tolerant planting, this brings a quieter and more natural character to this part of the garden while reconnecting it with the history and ecology of the wider site.