Architecture

Concrete oasis hides gardens galore

Plants at every turn

By Liz Stinson Apr 20, 2020, 9:58am EDT

Single-story house with white concrete walls.

This house in Nicosia, Cyprus, has not one but four gardens, and all of them are “secret.” The designers at Draftworks Architecture use that term loosely—the gardens in this house are simply enclosed and enveloped by foliage-covered concrete walls.

Inside, the walls are built from concrete masonry units, while the wood and metalwork were made by local craftsman. The designers imbued the hard-edged space with moments of softness thanks to patches of greenery sunken into the floor, which allow the family to grow plants indoors before transplanting them outside

View of kitchen and dining area with a patch of indoor garden.

A master bedroom and a pair of smaller bedrooms flank the entrance while an open living area, dining ara, and kitchen fill the space to the back. Doors open onto four walled gardens placed on various sides of the house. These green spaces are hidden from view by perforated white-washed concrete walls where just the slightest hint of vines poke through.

View of living room with built-in bookshelf.

Outdoor area with large opening to the inside and vines growing on concrete walls.

Bedroom featuring concrete masonry unit walls.

Bathroom with white grid tiles and lots of plants.

Outdoor area with concrete walls and shrubs.

Concrete oasis hides gardens galore

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