About This Project

We were approached by the Friends of Hammersmith Park to work on the project of rejuvenating the Japanese garden that exists within Hammersmith Park, London. The garden was originally built in 1910 as part of the Japan-British Exhibition and is a delightful oasis of calm in a busy urban environment.

Working alongside the Embassy of Japan in the UK, the Japan Society, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the Japanese Garden Society we were commissioned to build and install a traditional Japanese Entrance gate ( Mon ) leading into the Japanese garden. The gateway was hand crafted from ‘green’ Oak, constructed in our workshops, transported to the park and installed. Twenty Kasuga lanterns, each standing 180 cm high, have been located around the Park with twelve lining the avenue of Japanese Cherry blossom trees leading to the gateway. Each lantern was sponsored by a Japanese company, with their names and logos engraved into the stone lanterns.

The work was undertaken during a two week period on site. We would like to thank all of the people involved in the project, from the Embassy, Local Council and the Friends of Hammersmith Park. We thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the project and hope it brings the residents of White City much joy in the years to come. 

Phase Two

In 2024 we were asked to design and build another Japanese gateway seen from the other side of the park from the Frithville Gardens entrance. This gateway has been kindly commissioned by Jon Gordon-Smith. Friends of Hammersmith Park will need no introduction to Jon, as he has dedicated significant time and effort since 2008 in raising community awareness and rejuvenation of the Japanese Garden at Hammersmith Park. In September 2023, Ambassador HAYASHI Hajime awarded Jon the Ambassador’s Commendation. This gateway will help provide a legacy for Jon and displays a plaque engraved ‘Jon no mon’ meaning ‘Jon’s gate’. 

Once drawings were approved we started making the gateway at our workshop in Kent. It takes time to prepare the oak and mortice in every detail to ensure all the pieces fit together. 

Using the Japanese shou sugi ban method of preserving wood by burning we wanted to create an attractive focal point to the underside of the roof section. This process makes the wood more durable and protects it from fire, water and sunlight damage, as well as creating an attractive finish. This Japanese technique dates back to the 18th century.

The roof is clad with traditional cedar shingles. Each shingle is carefully secured, a time consuming process that has an attractive and impressive appearance once complete. The cladding mirrors the original gateway we built on the other side of the park tying the two together.