«Moment» Garden

Before you begin designing your garden, learn to see nature as your co-creator. Do not try to subjugate its laws and rules to your own concept. Examine what nature has already created: the curve of a branch, the entanglement of grasses, and the reflections in the water. Sometimes, it is enough to simply emphasize what often goes unnoticed.

Do not fear simplicity or impermanence. Nature’s fleeting beauty often tells us more than complex and enduring structures ever could. Create from what nature provides, and allow it to continue what you have started.

Remember that the garden should not remain static. It will grow, wither, change its colors and forms, and remain uniquely beautiful in every manifestation. Do not try to stop or hide this process, for in this change lies nature’s greatest beauty—life.

Do not strive to leave a permanent mark on nature. Instead, create a space where every person can notice the beauty that usually escapes their view.

«Mgnovenie» — a hidden garden by Lake Naroch in Belarus, nestled within a forest expanse near the Naroch resort town.

The concept of the garden is founded on the idea of nature as a co-creator. Trees, stones, grasses, and water are its primary elements, with small arrangements of natural materials merely emphasizing the beauty of what often goes unnoticed.

The garden exists as a continuous natural performance: it changes with the seasons, grows, fades, and gradually transforms. Its seclusion lies in the need for attentive observation: some people will pass by and see only a regular forest, while others will pause and discover an entire world within it.

The garden’s core idea is to teach visitors how to slow down and notice the beauty in what already exists.

The garden landscaping concept is based on minimal intervention and preserving the natural forest ecosystem. The vegetation primarily consists of conifer and deciduous trees, shrubs, ferns, mosses, and woodland grasses, which are characteristic of Belarus. Additional plantings of shade-tolerant flowers and herbs are placed locally and irregularly—among stones, fallen trees, and along natural paths—to create the impression of natural growth. The plants, in turn, do not form distinct decorative compositions; they merely accentuate the natural landscape. Their seasonal changes reveal the core idea of nature as a co-creator of the space.

Access to the garden is discreet, entering through the woodland bordering Lake Naroch. The route passes through a stone labyrinth, an amphitheater, a pier, and a grotto—a gathering space. The alternation between open and enclosed spaces, natural textures, and sounds creates an atmosphere of slowing down and contemplation.By day, the garden’s appearance is shaped by natural light; by night, the space transforms thanks to soft lighting integrated into the natural compositions and pathways. The use of solar-powered lighting ensures subtle illumination with minimal impact on the ecosystem.The shifting spaces, lighting, weather, and time of day make every visit unique and reveal the idea of harmonious interaction between humans and nature.