Tiger Glen Garden Garden

Tiger Glen Garden Garden is a contemplative landscape installation that exemplifies the sophisticated fusion of Eastern philosophical principles with contemporary architectural design. Created by Marc Peter Keane, this karesansui-style garden draws its inspiration from the ancient Chinese parable Three Laughers of the Tiger Glen, which explores themes of transcending sectarian differences through unity and friendship. The garden, completed in 2011, features a minimalist composition of carefully selected weathered metamorphic gneiss boulders and an intricate groundcover comprising twelve distinct moss species, all harmoniously arranged within an 11.6m x 8.1m sunken courtyard. A meticulously pruned Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Umbraculifera) serves as a focal point, maintained annually by a Kyoto-trained specialist. The design's austere aesthetic deliberately resonates with its contemporary architectural context, creating a powerful dialogue between built form and natural elements. This exceptional work, which earned the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in the Landscape Planning and Garden Design category, demonstrates remarkable innovation in its interpretation of traditional Japanese garden principles within a modern museum setting. The garden's sophisticated design enables visitors to experience it both from interior vantage points through large plate-glass windows and by entering the courtyard itself, where stone benches provide opportunities for extended contemplation and reflection. The project's execution involved an innovative approach to installation, with a full-scale mock-up constructed off-site before final assembly, ensuring precise implementation of the design vision.

Author: Adam Dawson

Keywords: Japanese gardens, contemplative design, karesansui, landscape architecture, moss garden, architectural integration

SOURCES:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/27677

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