Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond

About this Project

  • Dimensions: 50m x 70 m – 3,500 m2
  • Build time: 12 weeks

Our client was just completing an ambitious Koi pond and asked us to design and build a Japanese style Summer house, seating areas, planting beds and install large natural stepping stones to cross a shallow part of the pond.

The principal feature of this garden is a large Summer house made using Iroko hardwood under a cedar shingle roof with a large flat rock in the water allowing the owner to feed his fish directly in front of the building.  The rock was around 2 meters long x 1 meter wide and weighs around 2 tons.  A Japanese panel wall to the left of the building helps screen outbuildings beyond and provides an attractive backdrop for a Standing stone grouping, a Bloodgood Acer and clipped Azalea’s.

A paved seating for two of our curved beige granite benches sits beside the pond and has tall timber poles to enclose the area.  York stone crazy paving paths lead around the pond with large planting beds bordering the pond to soften the hard landscaping.

From our own stock of blue grey granite, we were able to find large, flat topped pieces to form the stepping stone path through the shallow water adding a typically Japanese detail to this project.  Other notable features include a 60 cm Misaki granite lantern on a rock in the water, and a 220 cm high Pergola style lantern beyond the pond in a prominent position.

 

 

Client

Essex

Project Date

2005

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond
Japanese Tea House and Garden around Koi Pond

Stream and Pond in Japanese Style Garden

About This Project

  • Dimensions: 12m x 20m – 240 m2
  • Build time: 6-8 weeks

This garden was constructed at the rear of a new build property in Harrietsham, Kent. The client had been inspired by a visit to Japan and wished to create a Japanese water garden. The main viewpoints of this garden are shown in the pictures below and the focal point being the stream which leads to a generous pond. We incorporated two seating areas at opposite ends of the garden to maximise the views. The positioning of the seating areas were also dictated by the path of the sun. It is this attention to detail in both planning and construction that allows us to create Japanese gardens which make the most of our clients outdoor space.

Client

Harrietsham, Kent

Project Date

2008

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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View across pond to waterfall
View across pond to waterfall
Misaki in Pond
Misaki in Pond
Japanese garden with stone benches
Japanese garden with stone benches
View from seating area
View from seating area
Japanese stone bridge
Japanese stone bridge
View of waterfall
View of waterfall
View from kitchen window
View from kitchen window
Standing stones
Standing stones

Traditional Japanese Water Garden, Berkshire

About This Project

Dimensions: 30m x 20m – 600m2

Build time: 4 weeks

The brief on this project was to refurbish an existing water garden introducing Japanese design elements. The stream and small pond were completely stripped out, reshaped and relined to give us a fresh canvas to work from. The banks of the new stream were lined with treated timber logs interspersed with natural rock. The vertical logs provided a formal structure and clean lines, while the rocks break up the shape and add visual interest.

The stepping stone path runs adjacent to the stream allowing the viewer to interact with different parts of the garden along their journey. By manipulating the viewing angles we are able to hide aspects of the stream which are revealed as you get closer to the top of the garden. This garden also features a Japanese water basin arrangement and Waiting Arbour.

Client

Finch Hampstead

Project Date

2006

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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Japanese stream, with deer scarer and sandstone lantern
Japanese stream, with deer scarer and sandstone lantern

Japanese Planting around Koi pond – Cranbrook

About This Project

  • Dimensions: 3 areas were worked on, covering a total of 36m x 36m
  • Build time: First phase – 3 weeks, Second phase – 2 weeks

This is the second garden we have built for this client, following a house move. This project involved landscaping the beds surrounding a new Koi pond. The client wanted to incorporate a few traditional Japanese elements, whilst ensuring year round colour and texture. We decided to put a modern twist on the area by introducing vertical granite columns and a sphere to give structure, with cloud planting at the base to add a splash of colour. On the other side of the path we placed a Shallow water basin arrangement to add running water,  Acers for seasonal colour changes and Pieris ‘Little Heath’ to offer year round interest.

Client

Cranbrook

Project Date

2015

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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before
before
Granite Palisades and Sphere with cloud planting.
Granite Palisades and Sphere with cloud planting.
Granite Palisades and Sphere with cloud planting.
Granite Palisades and Sphere with cloud planting.
Kodak Maru Yukimi
Kodak Maru Yukimi
before
before
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
before
before
Golden Gem ilex
Golden Gem ilex

Japanese Stream, Sittingbourne

About This Project

  • Dimensions: 5m x 16m – 80m2
  • Build time: 4 weeks

The rear of this garden backs on to a railway line, which the client was keen to hide. We achieved this by building a panel wall with leader roof tiles and a copper gutter detail to give the appearance of the front of a Japanese Tea House forming an attractive backdrop to the garden. A short stream runs over a small waterfall and into a tank, allowing a dry stream to flow under the bridge and into the middle of the garden. The stepping stone path winds its way across the dry stream to a gate at the rear of the garden. Other features include a Cloud tree, Eto lantern and evergreen planting on the right hand side of the garden to provide year round structure and colour.

Client

Sittingbourne, Kent

Project Date

2008

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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Japanese Stream
Japanese Stream
Japanese stream with dry river
Japanese stream with dry river
Closeup of stream and bridge
Closeup of stream and bridge
Japanese stream and waterfall
Japanese stream and waterfall
Japanese garden border detail
Japanese garden border detail
Eto Granite Lantern
Eto Granite Lantern
Eto Japanese Lantenr
Eto Japanese Lantenr
Shoji Window detail
Shoji Window detail

Modern Japanese Garden – Rodmersham Green

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 30m x 30m – 900m2
  • Build time: 12 weeks

This project consists of three gardens around a newly built house in Rodmersham Green, Kent. The ground floor of this two story house was built below ground level giving rise to two sunken Courtyard gardens, plus a lawned ground level area. The contemporary architecture encouraged us to create a series of modern features including a black Basalt water feature, a stainless steel blade of water from a natural slate wall, a shade sail covering an over-sized bespoke granite sofa, along with many other elements to complete the project.

Client

Ilex - Rodmersham Green

Project Date

2013

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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Oversized granite sofa and coffee table
Oversized granite sofa and coffee table
Laughing budha
Laughing budha
Box balls and Granite spheres
Box balls and Granite spheres
Box balls, Granite Spheres and natural stone
Box balls, Granite Spheres and natural stone
Bed in sunken garden
Bed in sunken garden
View from bedroom
View from bedroom
Outdoor BBQ area
Outdoor BBQ area
Stainless steel water rill in slate wall
Stainless steel water rill in slate wall
Sunken front garden
Sunken front garden

1.5 Acre Japanese Stroll Garden

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 1.5 acre section of large estate
  • Build time: Completed in several phases over 18 months

Built on different levels most of which was completely over grown, this is the largest project we have yet undertaken. The Client wanted to redesign the lower section of his garden which incorporated his natural Koi pond. All work, including excavation of a new stream and the transportation of over 40 tonnes of rock had to be done by hand. We created a new entrance to the garden, opening up a large expanse of terrace. By dividing this top portion into 4 sections we could use a range of different traditional Japanese garden elements. The new Yorkstone crazy paving path, which meanders through the garden is over 500 meters long and crosses the stream and pond in several places. The images below are in order showing each feature as it appears from the top of the path to the bottom. The stream requires 2 pumps to produce the 25,000 litre an hour flow that cascades down lower waterfall. Although this garden is large we have managed to make it feel intimate by using specimen plants and lush evergreen planting which enclose several viewpoints.

This garden formed the basis of Howard’s Keynote lecture at the Japanese Garden Society of Great Britain’s Annual General Meeting in 2015. Click on the images below to make them larger or share them on social media.

Client

Henley-on-Thames

Project Date

2012 - 2013

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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Seating under sail shade
Seating under sail shade
90 cm Lantern
90 cm Lantern
Close-up of Japanese water basin arrangement
Close-up of Japanese water basin arrangement
Specimen acer on edge of Pathway
Specimen acer on edge of Pathway
Japanese path through garden
Japanese path through garden
Niwaki pruned buxus
Niwaki pruned buxus
Cloud pine on bank of Japanese stream
Cloud pine on bank of Japanese stream
View across the stream to bank
View across the stream to bank
Niwaki Juniper
Niwaki Juniper
Japanese waterfall
Japanese waterfall
Bridge over Koi pond
Bridge over Koi pond
Lower section of waterfall
Lower section of waterfall

Modern Japanese Garden – Sevenoaks

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 60m x 40m – 2,400m2
  • Build time: 3 months

In the heart of the old market town of Sevenoaks this modern Japanese garden features a few big, bold elements to mirror the contemporary architecture of the new build property.  Features include a natural slate wall rising from the Koi pond, and a dramatic Standing stone grouping with granite lantern. Our planting palette uses mature specimen plants such as Acer’s and large diameter clipped Box to create a Japanese garden in keeping with the Architects vision for the contemporary house. The gardens visual simplicity masks the rich detail in design and construction that helps achieve the look.

Client

Sevenoaks

Project Date

2007

Category

Private Japanese Gardens

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Japanese water basin arrangement
Japanese water basin arrangement
Koi pond with slate wall
Koi pond with slate wall
Cloud trees with koi pond in the distance
Cloud trees with koi pond in the distance
Japanese lantern set in lawn
Japanese lantern set in lawn
Modern Japanese garden, Sevenoaks
Modern Japanese garden, Sevenoaks
Water rill leading to Japanese Koi pond
Water rill leading to Japanese Koi pond
Water rill with box hedge border
Water rill with box hedge border
Black Basalt slabs
Black Basalt slabs

Indoor Japanese Gardens – Kimchee Restaurants London

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 3 areas; 9x9m, 2x1m and 2x2m
  • Build Time: Preparation work was done off-site, and installation took 3 days on site to complete.

We were approached by the Mr. Kim, CEO of the Wasabi Group to design a series of Japanese gardens inside his new Korean restaurants in London. The first of these at Kimchee in High Holborn features three separate gardens and a window display. Subsequently, we were asked to build small feature gardens for both ‘Kimchee-to-go’ outlets located on New Oxford Street and the Strand. We have just completed another garden for a new Kimchee restaurant opening in London, to view more details of this project please click here.

All of the Kimchee gardens have to meet strict design briefs set by the Interior designer and the owner. The attention to detail and quality of the finished gardens always exceeds their exacting standards. The gardens are built off site, transported to site and re-assembled. It is a real testament to our team that we can produce these gardens to fit the spaces provided to the millimetre, built to budget and within the limited time schedules.

Client

Kimchee Restaurants, London

Project Date

2011-2014

Category

Corporate Japanese Gardens & Garden Shows

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Japanese water basin arrangement Kimchee
Japanese water basin arrangement Kimchee
Japanese water basin arrangement Kimchee
Japanese water basin arrangement Kimchee
Japanese water basin arrangement Kimchee
Japanese water basin arrangement Kimchee
Water basin arrangement in entrance
Water basin arrangement in entrance
Japanese Natural stone lanterns
Japanese Natural stone lanterns
Japanese window display garden
Japanese window display garden
Guide light marking edge of path
Guide light marking edge of path
Kimchee to go - Japanese Garden
Kimchee to go - Japanese Garden

Contemporary Japanese Garden – Hitachi Finance

ABOUT THE PROJECT

  • Dimensions: 2.4m diameter
  • Build time: 2 weeks off-site, 1 week on site.

We were commissioned to design and build an indoor garden in the reception at the new European Headquarters of Hitachi Capital (UK) Ltd. Our brief was simple; create a low maintenance garden as a focal point for their staff and visitors.

The vertical granite Palisades rising out of a sea of gravel, represent Hitachi’s market leading ‘City Blueprint’ initiative. Their global presence is depicted by the granite sphere. The addition of cloud planting round the base of the Palisades reminds us of our collective responsibility to environmental sustainability, by highlighting the close relationship between man made cities and nature. The white ring was specially commissioned for this project and is made in one solid unit.

Client

Hitchi Finance UK

Project Date

2012

Category

Corporate Japanese Gardens & Garden Shows

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Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden
Hitachi Finance Reception with Japanese garden