On the edge of the Black Sea, Constanța has always been a territory where land and water coexist in fascinating ways. When CMD/LA was commissioned to design the landscape concept for a private garden here, the challenge was to translate this natural dialogue into a contemporary residential oasis. The project is not just about arranging plants and pathways; it is about crafting a lifestyle experience that merges Mediterranean light, coastal vegetation, and the cultural richness of a historic city.
At the heart of the concept lies an expansive open lawn, a breathing surface that organizes the entire site. Rather than fragmenting the plot into smaller gardens, CMD/LA opted for a fluid, free-flowing layout. The lawn becomes a visual stage, a green carpet stretching from the infinity pool terrace to the perimeter trees, offering both a sense of openness and an anchor for future growth.
Circulations are deliberately simple yet expressive. The driveway is paved with natural cobblestones, evoking timeless urban textures while ensuring durability and permeability. Pedestrian access steps are softened with grass, transforming movement into an experience of transition between natural and built elements. These inlaid steps function as both design statement and ecological solution, preventing erosion while maintaining a natural aesthetic.
The infinity pool terrace is conceived as the social and visual focal point of the property. Its wide deck invites both leisure and gatherings, reflecting the sky during the day and city lights at night. Positioned to extend toward the horizon, the pool visually blends with the sea beyond, creating a seamless connection between the private garden and the vast coastal landscape.
One of the most distinctive features of the project is the summer pavilion, an architectural object designed by CMD/LA as both a retreat and a convivial space. Its Mediterranean-inspired arches recall vernacular seaside architecture, but they are reinterpreted with a contemporary minimalism. Inside, the pavilion accommodates a generous lounge area with a sculptural fireplace, a spa room with jacuzzi, and a functional kitchen. It is a place for slow mornings, shaded afternoons by the pool, and evenings that extend into the night with friends and family.
Retaining walls are used not just for structural needs but as landscape devices, carving out terraces and subtle level differences. They give depth to the garden, framing views and guiding the eye across the site. Planting is intentionally free: ornamental grasses, shrubs, and clusters of trees echo the coastal environment, adding texture and seasonal rhythms.
CMD/LA’s approach was to embrace a minimalist language while ensuring a strong sense of place. The design avoids decorative overload, focusing instead on proportions, materials, and the emotional impact of open space. Every element – from the rhythm of the arches to the softness of the lawn – is calibrated to foster relaxation and understated elegance.
Beyond aesthetics, the garden is also an ecological statement. The large lawn allows for infiltration and cooling during hot summers, while the planting palette is chosen for resilience and low maintenance. Lighting is discreet, highlighting pathways, pavilion arches, and select trees, ensuring safety without overwhelming the nightscape.
This Constanța garden is more than a private outdoor space – it is a narrative of living by the sea. It demonstrates how contemporary landscape architecture can respect natural context while providing all the amenities of modern life. By blending tradition with innovation, CMD/LA delivers a project that feels timeless: rooted in place, yet open to new ways of inhabiting the outdoors.
The result is a sanctuary of freedom and light: a garden that celebrates both nature and architecture, intimacy and openness, solitude and sociability. Like the city itself, it is a place of contrasts and continuities, where the sea breeze crosses lawns, where stone meets water, and where design quietly enhances the joy of everyday life.
Landscape Architecture Concept: CMD/LA
Arhitectura Pavilion: arch. Ramona Coman
Landscape Constructor: Studio Garden
Beneficiary: Private residence in Constanța
