Noemí Antón, landscape designer: "A good distribution will turn the garden into a place where we will always want to be"
Noemí Antón (Madrid, 1977) is an agricultural engineer and has a master's degree in Landscaping from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He began in the field of landscaping in Madrid, alongside two great figures in this field. First with Pedro Palacios in the Dehesa de la Jara Studio in public works projects and later with the renowned landscape designer Luis Vallejo, in the field of private works. With Vallejo he spent a long period of time participating in very special projects at a national and international level. For some time now he has established himself independently in Jávea and has formed his own team to continue designing and building Mediterranean spaces and gardens.
At Construcciones Cholbi we have asked Noemí a few questions to learn more about the profession of landscaper and her role in construction.
What is a landscaper?
For me, a landscaper is a person with a solid technical background that is complemented by a great capacity for observing the environment that surrounds him, the nature in which he develops. From my point of view and always with the premise of absolute respect for our environment, we introduce modifications to vary the visual, physical and emotional characteristics of an outdoor space.
Why is your work important in the integral design of a construction?
The communication between the house, the garden and the environment is key to obtaining optimal results in the design of a construction. The first sensation we perceive when entering a home is its garden and given our climate it is an extraordinarily lived space, so it must be carefully thought out and planned.
What value does it bring to a project?
The garden dresses the house, accompanies it, welcomes it, creates environments and spaces as important or more so than the interiors. An appropriate distribution of the exterior space manages to get the most out of and use the area of action. In addition, a correct selection of species, alternating shapes, colors and textures will create movement and fluidity around us.
Is a profession better known outside of Spain than here?
Unfortunately if. Intrusiveness aside, the garden tends to be left to the end and when it is reached, the client is already tired and with the economic reserves destined for construction almost depleted. Then he usually resorts to last-minute solutions with not very good results, which contribute to the idea that "anything goes" for the garden.
Why is the climate of Jávea special for the design of the exteriors of a house?
For me it is the best climate in the world. Specifically in Jávea it allows you to enjoy the outdoors for many months a year, I would almost say uninterrupted. This makes the garden a very important space in the home because we develop a large part of our lives in it. A good distribution of outdoor spaces will turn the garden into a place where we always want to be.
What type of species do you usually recommend for planting in this area?´
We live in an absolutely privileged climate, the Mediterranean climate, with a spectacular and highly varied flora, which is why I recommend the almost exclusive use of Mediterranean vegetation. In addition, we must bear in mind that water is a very scarce commodity and this type of plant is perfectly adapted to its scarcity for long periods. These species, once established, will need very low irrigation doses, so the savings will be considerable.
What would your dream project be like?
My dream project in Jávea would be to participate in the recovery of the Casa Lambert garden, in Portichol, to create a delicate Mediterranean garden, with native species and with the utmost respect for an incomparable place.
Contact noemianton@mediterraneogarden.com
Some of the photographs that illustrate this post belong to Luis Vallejo Estudio de Paisajismo.
