“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.
— Terry Tempest Williams
Preservation
When people consider landscaping they typically think of changing what exists, not preserving it.
Change is plated in what we do: Taking what “is” and reshaping it to be more closely aligned with the vision, taste and sensibilities of the home owner or developer.
But this only tells half the story.
Framing Nature.
Sometimes the wisest choice is to simply leave things alone.
In traditional Japanese architecture, there’s a principle of shakkei — or “borrowed scenery”, where background landscapes are incorporated into the composition of a garden or curated space. It’s used as a way of framing nature with design.
We believe the boundary between interior and exterior should be permeable. Landscaping brings new energy and life to a yard through constant dialogue between contextual elements. We employ geometry to create order and harmony within nature, always looking to retain and preserve nature wherever possible. The goal is to create a space which feels natural but also reflects the occupants own style and mind.
Its not about stripping an outdoor space down to nothing and hammering it into the bunted equivalent of a soulless parking lot. It’s about inviting nature in.
Finding balance.
Harmony can be created between natural elements such as softscape, trees, sculpted lawns, decorative grass and delicate plants should balance with hardscape features.
It can also be found in preserving what already “is”. Using natural stone to edge a planter that brushes up against untamed nature. Allowing a few wild trees to drape their bows over the fence. Leaving large stones, old walls, and preserving tactfully chosen natural features so as to make art of them in an outdoor living space.
Patina, weathering, faded stucco, weather-worn pavers, an old tree, an overgrown section of fence. There is a kind of beauty in these that time alone can create. Preserving them is as important to good design and better living as adding something new.
In a world over-run with high-stress levels, fast-paced living and unrealistic pursuits of perfection this approach is part of the solution. A form of balance and effortlessness… and preserving a few things to just be what they are.
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