'Expressiveness is miserly; everything superfluous is ugly.’ It’s a Japanese proverb that landscape architect Alexandre Grivko strongly subscribes to. Moreover, drawing on the philosophy of André Le Nôtre, the creator of Versaille’s exteriors, he seeks to achieve the ultimate visual effect through minimalist architectural plant compositions and to harmonise past and future.
Indeed, Grivko’s ability to blend classical styles with contemporary trends is an important reason why the low-profile gardening guru, and his company IL NATURE, are receiving mounting acclaim. Documentaries about his creations enjoyed the spotlight at the Cannes Lions International, and his designs are trumpeted in prestigious publications from Vogue to Forbes.
In 2012, the latter pronounced Alexandre’s privately owned garden in Orekhovno (now open to the public) as among the seven best in the world. His discreet presence is in part explained by the clientele he attracts, a heady international mix of business tycoons, movie stars and fashion gurus.
