It is not possible to discover a designer of the garden area. What we know about the history of the origins suggests that there probably never were clearly defined gardens on the Villa Simmen property.
Only the area near the village was formally structured through retaining walls that formed level terraces around the villa. Several elements, such as the cobbled driveways, the natural stone walls, the natural stone fountain and the edged perennial beds are indications of fine garden landscaping near the building. From the villa, the formal garden area segued into the landscape, which was interspersed with fruit trees, some tall trees and grapevines. The plot of the villa today, and thus the garden area, is the result of the former owner’s steady selling off of land. That owner was probably also responsible for greater part of the planting.
Expert's report
2001
Location
Zurich-Höngg