Guadalmina Baja, Marbella | Tropical Garden Around the Pool

Tropical Garden Around the Pool

Guadalmina Baja, Marbella
Private garden, 260 m²
April 2023 — August 2023

Svetlana Kolpak
Landscape Designer

Reconstruction of a mature garden in Guadalmina Baja, preserving existing palm and fruit trees

The project was carried out during the renovation of the house: part of the planting was damaged, and the garden structure was disrupted.
The goal was to rethink the space, preserve its mature foundation, and bring it to a cohesive, contemporary look.

Project Goals

— Create a comfortable, flowering garden for family living
— Restore and reorganize existing plantings
— Design a private pool area
— Replace outdated garden elements
— Resolve drainage and excess moisture issues
— Implement a new irrigation system with optimized water usage
— Design landscape lighting
— Structure the plot and define clear zoning

Solution

— Garden cleared: overgrown and non-decorative plants removed, some relocated
— Existing roses preserved, relocated to the pool area, pruned and restored
— Pool area redesigned:
• new paving for the sunbathing area
• circular pathway
• simplified and structured planting scheme
— Fountain replaced with a modern outdoor shower
— Sculpture integrated into a living hedge as a decorative focal point
— Green privacy screen created using layered planting
— Existing palm preserved on an elevated relief
A rock garden designed around it with stones, succulents, and shrubs
— Former vegetable garden transformed into a mini rock garden with aromatic herbs
(mint, rosemary, thyme, oregano, lemon verbena, etc.)
— Planting scheme organized according to light conditions:
• shade: hydrangeas, ferns, philodendrons, alocasias
• sun: cycads, agaves, aloe, agapanthus
— Added fragrant and flowering accents: frangipani, lavender, roses
— Engineering works carried out:
• pool leakage fixed
• soil moisture reduced
• irrigation storage tank installed
• new irrigation lines implemented
• drainage and rainwater runoff system created
— Landscape lighting designed:
• everyday functional lighting
• decorative evening lighting

Results

— The garden became lighter, more structured, and contemporary while preserving its mature character
— The pool area transformed into a private and comfortable space
— Engineering issues resolved systematically (drainage, irrigation, moisture control)
— Plantings restored and unified into a cohesive composition
— The plot organized into functional zones with clear logic

Tell me how you imagine your future garden

I will prepare a personalized proposal based on your vision and budget.

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I create gardens that become a place of well-being for the family

Svetlana Kolpak Sabirova (Shibanova)

Landscape Designer. Creating private gardens since 2005.
I live and work in Marbella, on the Costa del Sol, developing private garden projects for clients across Spain and internationally.

In my work, I combine artistic vision, a psychological understanding of space, and the technical mindset of an engineer. I am inspired by the moment when a space begins to transform.
When construction gives way to silence, greenery, and air.
When a garden gradually becomes a natural extension of the home and the life of the family.
I always begin with a personal visit to the site.
It is important for me to see the space, understand its scale, light, and terrain. To listen to the client. To understand how they live and what they expect from this place.
For me, a garden is a space of restoration and balance.
A place where the pace slows down and calm emerges.
A place where one truly wants to be.
I work with precision and method, combining aesthetics with technical calculation. When designing a garden, I also consider how it will evolve and develop over time.

Project Portfolio

From Moscow to the Costa del Sol, clients trust me to create the garden of their dreams.
I transform villas, residences, and terraces into vibrant and harmonious outdoor spaces designed for living and enjoyment.