The first residents will soon be moving into Nesto. The initial phase of the most modern residential development in Petržalka, and its first 164 residential units, is awaiting final approval and the first green areas have been completed. Nesto’s green zones were designed by Divo, a well-known Czech-based garden and landscape architecture atelier, in collaboration with the world-famous landscape architecture and urban design studio Mandaworks, based in Sweden, and the renowned perennial plant expert, Adam Baroš.
Nesto’s meticulously planned and designed greenery combines different types of plants, shrubs and trees to create a harmonious whole that will change throughout the year. “The name of our atelier (Divo means ‘wild’ in English), as we love wild natural landscapes and draw inspiration from nature and interesting plant communities, which we harmoniously incorporate into our projects, including the greenery at Nesto,” said Ing. Ján Augustín, the head designer at Divo, who has extensive experience working on projects for Lucron, including the Urban Residence project in Bratislava and Arboria in Trnava. The green areas have been designed to a seamlessly flow towards the square to create green bays that naturally transition into and merge with the intimate inner courtyards inside the perimeter blocks.
Daffodils, tulips and perennials
The first step was to create a mix of large perennial flowerbeds to evoke a wild landscape that changes from early spring to late autumn. As the early spring bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips fade, the perennials will gradually take over. The tree canopy will be dominated by native species such as maples, ornamental apple trees and hornbeams, while the pines will keep Nesto green, even in winter. Some of the flowerbeds have been designed as rain gardens to collect rainwater for irrigation, efficiently utilising natural resources to cool the inner courtyards between the buildings. Together with the existing adjacent park and the planned natural green promenade, Nesto will offer an exceptional amount of green space for sport and relaxation.
Greenery where you least expect it
The greenery is incorporated into the buildings. On the facades of residential buildings facing away from the square, the elevated meadow is sure to catch you by surprise. A mix of very hardy perennials has been planted over the entrances to the buildings, creating a pleasing green oasis where you would least expect it. The greenery literally shines at the first-floor level, offering a pleasant view of the buildings, as well as through residents’ windows. “The only greenery not yet visible which needs time to grow are the climbing plants that will cover the walls of the front gardens. The flowerbeds and perennials around the buildings will blend in with the climbers to create a homogeneous green whole and give residents an even greater feeling of privacy,” said Divo’s chief designer.
The front gardens add an extra green space to flats, which their owners can adjust to their liking. This will give you the feeling of living in a family house, even in a flat. There is a single cherry tree in each of the courtyards between the blocks, which has already produced its first fruit in the spring and will eventually provide natural shade for the children’s playground and the grass under the windows.
Square full of trees, plane trees instead of cars
Nesto’s spacious square will be dominated by a very resilient and hard-to-miss tree species – the honey locust, which provides excellent shade. “Combined with sloping and raised flowerbeds, this will give the impression of an undulating green landscape,” explained Ján Augustín. The effect will be further enhanced when the square is finished. The square will become a meeting place for Nesto residents to organise and hold regular community events. A community of friendly neighbours represents added value in any modern housing development, and this is a high-quality public space, full of greenery, that can help naturally build such a community.
Plane trees will be planted at the beginning and end of the promenade at Nesto to accentuate the entrance and the end of the square. “In one part of the square, parking spaces have been omitted to make way for the planting of mature plane trees,” explained the garden and landscape designer. Nesto’s green areas are not only an aesthetic component but also a well-thought-out design for more pleasant and healthier living. The combination of natural elements and modern architecture brings a new dimension of housing to be appreciated by anyone who desires high quality of living just a stone’s throw from the centre of Bratislava.
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