Fernando Caruncho, considered the greatest setting gardener alive today by many, found himself in the Swiss canton of Ticino, captivated by the beauty of a garden nestled on a steep, one-hectare plot. This plot offered an expansive view of Lake Lugano, framed by an impressive seven mountain peaks. Caruncho, who had launched his career at the age of 21 with a Japanese garden featured in French Vogue, was vacationing in Switzerland with his family when he agreed to undertake this garden design project for Fides Baldesberger. Fides had purchased the plot after reading about Caruncho’s work in her local Zurich newspaper and was eager to have him design the garden, as well as the master plan for her house.
Caruncho’s Minimalist Masterpiece
Caruncho’s designs are renowned for their formal, minimalist aesthetic, a philosophy he applies consistently to both gardens and architectural spaces. The Ticino garden is a signature of this approach, featuring a harmonious blend of water, greenery, and light. At the highest level, a serene pond houses Fides’s koi carp, reflecting the sky and providing a tranquil focal point. A central platform, adorned with a semicircular pond that seemingly disappears into a cave beneath the swimming pool, leads to a lower terrace. Here, water moves in dynamic patterns, mirroring the ever-changing light and creating a kinetic spectacle. A ‘limonaia’ for citrus trees and guest bedrooms are situated near this terrace.
From this point, a winding pathway, reminiscent of a ‘dragon’s tail,’ descends towards the adjacent forest. Surrounded by copper lanterns and ivy-covered walls, this path leads to a final terrace at the edge of the woods. The house, designed by Caruncho, features clay stucco walls and an organically shaped corridor leading to a view of the garden.
Caruncho’s Philosophy in Action
For Caruncho, garden design is an intellectual pursuit, deeply rooted in philosophy. He believes that the ‘vibration of light’ is the essence of a garden, a concept he translates into his designs through the interplay of light, water, and greenery. This creates a dynamic, ever-changing spectacle that captivates garden enthusiasts worldwide. His work has been praised in numerous magazines and books, and he has been honored with accolades such as a lifetime achievement award from the Society of Garden Designers.
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Caruncho’s career was launched when a Japanese garden he designed at the age of 21 for his uncle’s Richard Neutra house was featured in French Vogue. This early success set the stage for a 37-year career marked by formal, minimalist gardens that have been analyzed and eulogized in publications and by fellow designers. In the Ticino garden, his philosophy is evident in every detail, from the way the house divides into private and public sections to the use of space to alter and reveal textures through light. The garden’s hydraulic engineering and earth-moving required immense planning and precision to achieve the seemingly simple and inevitable result.
The Ticino garden, as with all of Caruncho’s designs, is a sign to his ability to create harmonious spaces that balance formality with the natural world. His minimalist aesthetic, combined with his deep understanding of how light and space interact, results in gardens that captivate and inspire.
A version of this article appeared in ‘The World of Interiors’, April 2018, offering readers a detailed exploration of Caruncho’s minimalist masterpiece in Ticino and his unique approach to garden design.
