The house seen from the pool, at the lowest level of the land where the earth has been brought back to connect the two terraces and obtain a much larger flat area, for the pool and for the lawn area in front of the house.
The hills around Bordighera are characterized by numerous and large gardens that surround the villas built on the typical terraces, once strips used for agricultural purposes. The most determining elements are the particular morphology and the climate that allows the development of both the Mediterranean and subtropical flora, which has found a perfect adaptation here.
This garden, facing south-west, located in a panoramic area protected from the winds, had very valuable pre-existing plants that needed to be enhanced by inserting them into the new landscaping. The most important were some centuries-old olive trees, a palm tree, numerous citrus trees and a magnificent bougainvillea that almost completely covered the porch in front of the house. The land had a difference in level, going down one level, from the back of the building towards the valley, to the part towards the sea. The need to create an underground garage made it necessary to excavate to the side of the house and in the rear part, with the consequent need to restore the garden and the pergolas above.
Towards the east, a swimming pool has been inserted, with a curvilinear design, studied with this shape to keep intact the splendid specimen of centuries-old olive tree. Around it, the cladding of the solarium area and a set of boulders develop in wooden slats, to retain rainwater, with the effect of a rock garden.
The land was divided by retaining walls of the various terraces and the excellent climate had already led to a notable development of both the Mediterranean and subtropical flora, inserted and acclimatised so naturally as to be considered indigenous.
Towards the valley, a larger lawn area was created by eliminating two low walls and bringing everything back to the ground floor of the house, enhancing the view towards the sea and giving particular space and emphasis to the spectacular Jubaea spectabilis already existing.
The pool area is protected from the gaze of visitors by accentuating the bulkhead of climbing plants on the pair of arches in front of the house.
The area behind the house is the most pleasant and intimate: raised by about three meters, partly a pergola with jasmine and bougainvillea, partly a dining area and barbecue and partly an orchard (citrus, olive, almond trees).
Throughout the garden, where there are still paths lined with stone from the quarries inland, he has inserted perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs suited to the climate in order to obtain particularly pleasing combinations of colours and shapes with blooms in all seasons. Agapanthus, Echium , hibiscus, strelitzia, plumpago, dimorphotheca, honeysuckle, jasmine, and many others alternate.
Numerous light points make the garden and the swimming pool agile even in the evening hours, in the seaside areas you live outside and the suggestive effects of the lights are part of the landscape.
An irrigation system that draws water from an adequate tank keeps plants and lawns cool even in the hottest season and in the absence of the owners.