Landscape

Hala Retreat

A garden for a private holiday villa in Ramallah, built as designed. A symmetrical plan around a fountain and a single date palm — the Levantine garden typology, extended by a pool, pergola and two terraces facing the mountains.

Aerial render of the villa garden showing the formal layout, pool, pergola and central fountain

The plan is the oldest one in the region: a walled, symmetrical garden with water at its centre. A fountain and a Canary Island date palm hold the middle; limestone paths order the ground around them. The planting is what has always grown here — cypress, lavender, rosemary, salvia — chosen for the climate, not against it.

The garden extends the villa rather than framing it. A pool in non-slip porcelain, a timber pergola, and two terraces — one at the water, one above — carry the living spaces outside and open them to the mountain view. A concealed maintenance path runs the borders, so care never crosses the design.

The project was built to the drawing. The photographs below show the garden as proposed and as completed.

Water at the centre, a palm above it, shade at the edges — the oldest garden plan there is, drawn again in Ramallah.

Aerial render of the garden layout — Aerial concept — formal garden, central fountain with date palm, pool and terraces.

Render of the garden with hedges, lawn and pergola — Garden view — boxwood hedges, lawn and the shaded pergola beyond.

Render of the timber entry pergola with flowering beds — Entry sequence — timber pergola threshold flanked by lavender and tulip beds.

Photo of the completed pool and terrace — As built — the pool and terrace, porcelain decking, planting beyond.

Photo of the completed garden and upper terrace — As built — the garden after completion, with the upper terrace and mountain view.

At a glance

Program: Landscape design for a private holiday villa
Hardscape: Natural limestone paving, porcelain pool decking, timber pergola, architectural concrete planters, decorative stone edging
Softscape: Canary Island date palm, Mediterranean cypress, boxwood hedges, lavender, rosemary, salvia, agapanthus, seasonal flowering plants, natural lawn
Status: Completed concept — built as designed

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