L A N D S C A P E D E S I G N S T U D I O F O R S U S T A I N A B L E M E D I T E R R A N E A N G A R D E N S
TERRA ASCOLTATA
My name is Maria Kosovskaya. After years of working in infrastructure design, I chose to devote myself to the Mediterranean landscape, following an inner journey of reconnection with nature and the essential.
During my training as a Landscape Designer at the Agrarian School of Monza, I deepened my understanding of the philosophy of the sustainable Mediterranean garden: green spaces where water scarcity becomes a resource, plants attract biodiversity, and beauty is expressed in a natural and lasting way.
In 2025, I founded TERRA ASCOLTATA, a studio specializing in the design of Mediterranean gardens that are drought-resistant and water-efficient. With care and attention, I create bespoke projects that offer a concrete response to the global climate crisis, transforming the values I believe in into landscapes.
With TERRA ASCOLTATA, I pursue each day a vision of greener spaces that are gentler, more conscious, and sustainable: authentic gardens, deeply rooted in their territory and respectful of the planet’s resources.
EXPERIENCE
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A NATURAL ANAMORPHOSIS. Design. Year 2025.
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A BLOOMING ANAMORPHOSIS. Supervision and observation. Year 2025.
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PLANTS AS WITNESSES OF HISTORY. Site assistance. Year 2025.
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PLANT PROCUREMENT AND LOGISTICS. Year 2025.
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LEARNING FROM THE EARTH. Site assistance. Year 2025.
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WHEN FORM MEETS LIFE. Site assistance. Year 2025.
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LIVING FENCE. Work supervision. Year 2025.
SERVICES
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Garden Design
A well-designed Mediterranean garden is a truly living, self-sustaining ecosystem, resistant to drought and frost, which evolves over time and enhances the quality of life of those who inhabit it.
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From Design to Ground
When a garden takes shape on site, every practical decision carries real weight. It is a living, complex phase, and for this reason I follow it with attention, presence, and care.
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Cooperation and Assistance
For all other matters related to Mediterranean gardens and sustainable design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does designing a garden mean just choosing pretty plants to put together?
A well-designed, sustainable Mediterranean garden is a living, self-sustaining ecosystem, resistant to drought, that evolves over time. The decisions I make today—plant species and varieties, placement, soil preparation, and care during the establishment period—must ensure functionality, sustainability, aesthetics, and low maintenance (irrigation only in emergencies) even five years from now.
Why should I invest in a landscape design project?
A well-thought-out landscape design is not just about aesthetics: it improves the livability of spaces, enhances soil quality, adds value to the property, creates well-being, and can last for years. It is not an expense, but an investment that grows over time.
What does the first site visit include? And what does it exclude?
The first site visit is an introductory meeting, free within a 30 km radius from my studio (currently Mascali). It allows me to see the space in person, listen to the client’s needs, and assess the complexity of the work. At this stage, no drawings, design ideas, or detailed consultations are provided. It is instead an opportunity to explain my working method, philosophy, and experience, and finally to provide a clear estimate for the preliminary and/or executive design.
How do you determine the prices of your services?
Preliminary design: fixed price, based on area and complexity
Executive design: includes all documentation for proper implementation
Site supervision: hourly rate, as it requires presence on site
Consultations and collaborations: assessed on a case-by-case basis
As of 2025, my hourly rate is €20/h.
What are the most common misunderstandings about your work?
That “you just need to pick pretty plants, it’s easy!”
That “it can be improvised”
That “a garden is a cost, not an investment”
That “the first free site visit includes detailed consultations”
For this reason, on my website I explain step by step what it truly means to design a sustainable, tailor-made Mediterranean garden.
