Aleksandra Lavrukhina: Harmonizing Nature in “Shades of Green”

Aleksandra Lavrukhina, a talented landscape designer from Moscow, is known for creating elegant and harmonious gardens. Her award-winning project Shades of Green recently won the prestigious Architecture MasterPrize in the Landscape Architecture – Gardens category. The project, located in the Moscow region, reflects Aleksandra’s deep commitment to crafting gardens that blend seamlessly with their surroundings. In this interview, Lavrukhina discusses her design philosophy, the challenges she faced, and her journey into landscape design.

Could you give us a little background on yourself or your company?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: I graduated from the School of Architecture and Design in Moscow, and since then, I’ve focused on creating landscape designs for private gardens. I’m constantly working on improving my skills by taking courses. My approach to landscape design is to create harmony by ensuring that the garden complements the architecture and color palette of the buildings on the site. I often prefer working with one dominant color and focus on subtle nuances and shades to make the garden feel cohesive and balanced.

What was the brief for the award-winning project?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: The inspiration for Shades of Green came from the client, who is a big fan of the color green. The challenge was to create a monochromatic garden using different shades of green without making it feel monotonous. To achieve this, I paid special attention to details such as the shape, shade, and texture of the plants’ foliage. Other garden elements, like sculptures and furniture, were kept neutral in white and gray, allowing the green shades to stand out as the centerpiece.

Please describe the design process. How was it resolved?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: I began working on this project when my child was just three months old, so time was a constraint. The project, from visualization to plant selection, took around eight months to complete. We started the landscaping work in the summer of 2019, but the early arrival of winter delayed progress. We resumed in the spring of 2020 to finalize the garden design.

What challenges were faced throughout the process?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: One of the biggest challenges was working with the sculpture that was the focal point of the garden. We had to figure out the technical aspects, such as how to connect the pump, calculate the water pressure, and ensure the pipes wouldn’t damage the fragile bronze sculpture. Additionally, the sculpture was delayed due to political issues and the pandemic. It was finally installed in December 2021 after a long wait.

What is most outstanding or most innovative about the project?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: The centerpiece of the garden is a unique bronze fountain sculpture of Gaia, designed as a dryad holding branches with leaves from which water drips into a bowl. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece, and I’m certain it’s the only fountain of its kind in the world. It brings a sense of serenity and elegance to the garden, tying the entire space together.

What outcomes of the project are you most proud of?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: This project has received international recognition and several awards, which makes me incredibly proud. It’s been fulfilling to see the positive response to Shades of Green, and I’m thrilled that my work is being celebrated on a global scale.

What led you to become a landscape designer?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: I didn’t initially see myself as a landscape designer. It wasn’t until I moved to a country house and had to work on my own garden that I discovered my passion for it. I had lived in the city my whole life and didn’t know much about plants or gardening. But once I started learning and working with plants, I found it fascinating. I loved how working with living things allowed me to create beautiful, dynamic spaces, and that’s when I knew I wanted to pursue landscape design professionally.

How can your discipline make a real difference to society and the world?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: Through landscape design, I hope to bring comfort and beauty to people’s lives. Gardens have the power to enhance well-being, and I want to help people appreciate the living things that surround them. The details, the choice of materials, and the plants all contribute to creating spaces that offer peace and relaxation, and that’s something I believe can make a real difference.

How do you feel about receiving an Architecture MasterPrize? What difference do you feel it will make to your future or the future of your company?

Aleksandra Lavrukhina: I’m incredibly proud of this award. It’s a huge honor to have my work recognized, and I hope it will help me gain more visibility and open up new opportunities for my career. This recognition has motivated me to continue creating designs that bring harmony and beauty into people’s lives.

We thank Aleksandra Lavrukhina for sharing the story behind her Shades of Green project. Her dedication to detail and her passion for creating serene, beautiful spaces shine through in her award-winning garden design, leaving a lasting impact on both her clients and the landscape architecture community.