School Garden, Kent

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 130m2
  • Build time: 3 weeks

A Japanese waiting arbour was at our workshop and installed in the corner of the garden providing an attractive focal point and seating area for pupils and staff. In front of the waiting arbour is a patio of dark grey granite paving with straight benches. Beside is a raised bed containing a traditional japanese water feature and a three stone Tenshi grouping and evergreen planting. Another bed created by silver grey palisades is reflected on the opposite side, with a 128cm Oribe lantern, natural stone arrangement and evergreen planting. Within the centre of the garden is a seating area created by 3 silver grey curved granite benches. 

A narrow bed continues down the length of the garden featuring silver grey palisades standing stone arrangement and blue grey granite feature rocks with a variety of evergreen shrubs. 

Japanese Atrium, Surrey

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 25m2
  • Build time: 3 weeks

A curved pathway of dark grey granite paving cuts through this outdoor garden in the centre of the house. Stepping out of the lounge towards the dining area you are immediately presented with a traditional Natsume bachi water feature arrangement, bamboo water spout and a 96cm Oribe granite lantern. Behind the arrangement is a tall japanese maple called Acer palmatum ‘pixie’. Ground cover planting includes Pieris, ophiopogon and Sarcococca humilis. The pathway leads to a seating area with a silver grey curved bench to sit and enjoy the garden whilst taking in the sweet scent of the Sarcococca planted nearby.

The other-side of the pathway sees the second of the ‘islands’ amongst a sea of gravel. Within this planted bed are attractive sculpture stones, representing mountains with cloud shaped evergreen planting around their base. Bloombux, a new form of Rhododendron was used to create this feature. A variety of evergreen plants were incorporated into this bed to add interest and a weeping red Japanese acer palmatum dissectum ‘Garnet’ proudly emerging from behind the feature rocks.

Japanese Tea House and Garden, Reading

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 90m2
  • Build time: 8 weeks

Panel walls were constructed to cut off the view of the Japanese garden from the house. A simple moon gate opening offers a glimpse of the garden, creating a secluded or ‘secret’ Japanese garden. The Japanese garden was built on top of an old filled in swimming pool. This meant that to incorporate planting, raised beds were created in combination with attractive black planters. Features within the garden include a ‘fishermans net’ with a Tenshi standing stone arrangement and attractive granite half spheres. Within the raised beds are some Japanese maples, a traditional water feature arrangement, blue grey granite feature stones and evergreen domed-shaped planting. 

A path of irregular stepping stones takes you through the garden and around to an area of decking upon which a Japanese tea house was built. The teahouse is fully insulated with heating, plumbing and electrics making it a fully functioning area for entertaining guests. A table elevates up when needed, and can be lowered to floor level when not in use to make the room more versatile. Inside furnishings also included creating a tokonoma, a raised alcove for art appreciation. 

Wellness Week 2019, The Shard London

ABOUT THE PROJECT

After a successful campaign last year we were invited back again to the Shard to create another Japanese Garden for their 2019 wellness week campaign.

In collaboration with Emulsion Architecture, the Japanese garden was designed to create a space of quiet reflection and escapism for the employees working within the Shard building.

Mitsubishi Corporation Product Launch, Eiffel Tower Paris

ABOUT THE PROJECT

We were invited to create a Japanese Garden within the Eiffel Tower for Mitsubishi Corporation ‘Spacejet’ launch ahead of The Paris Airshow 2019.

The Japanese company wanted a display garden that encapsulated their core values; a foliated quartzite standing stone arrangement represented strength and power, a powder coated shallow basin demonstrated purity and the importance of reflection whilst a Kasuga lantern was placed on the stage to highlight the importance of history and tradition. A variety of plants within planters were also positioned on the stage around a sea of 6mm silver grey gravel consisting of Rhododendron mic ‘bloombux’, Pieris ‘Little Health’, Nandina domestica ‘Richmond’, Fargesia murelae ‘Rufa’ and Japanese blood grass. Specimen plants included a 30-year old Pinus mugo ‘carstens wintergold’, a weeping cedar and an Acer palmatum ‘crimson queen’.

Howard and the team are extremely honoured to have created the first garden display in history within the Eiffel Tower, Paris. The weekend was a great experience that will not be forgotten quickly. We would again like to take the opportunity to thank Mitsubishi Corporation and BCD Meetings & Events for inviting us to be part of this successful and memorable collaboration.

Sea and Islands Japanese Garden, Leeds

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 270m2
  • Build time: 8 weeks

The theme of this garden is a ‘sea of gravel’ with lush undulating planting beds surrounding the sea. Bold features within the garden include a 120cm Kanjuji granite lantern, 90cm shallow bachi, blue grey granite feature stones and a Japanese cloud pruned Chamaecyparis amongst many Japanese maples and evergreen planting.

Besides a pre-existing Japanese tea house, a tall granite palisade feature garden was created, with cloud planting at the base complimented by a tall red leaf Acer Palmatum ‘Fireglow’ Japanese maple.

Modern Japanese Garden, Stoke-on-Trent

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 200m2
  • Build time: 4 weeks

Phase one: The aim for this garden was to present two distinctly different concepts of a Japanese garden, which would work well together when viewed from the house. This project consisted of simple, yet bold elements. Within the lawn, Tenshi standing stones were positioned alongside a cloud tree and red leafed Japanese maple. In the sunken area of the garden existed a Koi pond and waterfall. We introduced a combination of evergreen and seasonal plants within this area. Linking the two levels of the garden is a pathway of silver grey granite irregular stepping stones and silver grey granite paving, next to a palisade retaining wall.

Phase two: Phase two focused on the driveway and front section of the garden. A variety of lush evergreen planting was used in and around bold stone features and specimen Japanese maples were used to inject changing colours throughout the seasons. Characteristic blue grey granite rocks create steps down into a seclude courtyard which contains a water wall and more planting.

The Japanese Garden at Capel Manor

About This Project

Howard and the team were involved in a two-part rejuvenation project of the Japanese Garden at Capel Manor. Work included rebuilding the stream and pond, front entrance and gateway, including creating a stone pathway linking the different areas of the garden together. Students and volunteers associated with Capel Manor College aided Howard in the rejuvenation project.

The Capel Manor Gardens are open to the public throughout the year. See their website for more information www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk

Hammersmith Park, London

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. 

Wellness Week 2018, The Shard London

About This Project

  • Dimensions: 10m2 & 4m2

We were invited to design and install a Japanese garden arrangement within the Shard, one of the most iconic buildings in London. Within the foyer of the building a 10 m2 garden was installed, with an additional 4m2 garden under the staircase. In response to its high popularity, the garden was on display for two weeks; a week longer than originally agreed. 

The brief entailed creating an area of tranquility that employees could escape to throughout the working day. Products incorporated into the garden included limestone standing stones, an acer palmatum, Chinese scholar rock covered in bun moss, a sphere water feature, polished pebble seat and a Japanese ladle and rest. The arrangement under the staircase included silver grey granite palisades, a Sumo San granite lantern and rhododendron planting.