J.K.Lawson Courtyard
Analysis
The Lawson family owns an interior design firm, and they are moving their office and home to a post-industrial building. They asked me to design the courtyard of the building to meet their daily business uses which include both outdoor meeting and dining space. Additionally, the courtyard must also satisfy the needs of the family.
Three distinguished historical styles of landscape architecture were chosen by the client to develop a site design approach.
Vignette
Diagram
Neo-Modernism
New wave
Diagram
Vignette
Victorian
Diagram
Vignette
Simple and functional are two main pursuits in this Neo-Modernism theme courtyard. Trapezoid shape reflecting pond were designated to expand people's sense of space in this courtyard which is surrounded by three-story building. And two paths cut through reflecting pond not only "inviting" people interact with water feature, but also make circulation more fluenty. Geometric shapes were massively used to define clean and functional spaces which carry out a message that Lawsons are sensible designers with good taste.
While Neo-Modernism represents order and a rigorous lifestyle, new wave praises the passion, the beauty of curvilinear lines, and the vigorous of life. Circulation infiltrates into the garden that made of flower beds in elegant shape. Following any path, you will eventually end up in the south side of the courtyard, which is a multi-function area that can be used as fire pit area, outdoor dining/bar and outdoor meeting area.
With interesting contraries, victorian garden witnessed the glory of the Sun never set empire. It restrains itself in order but flourish in every corner; It is symmetric in some ways while the rest does not; It is a lot like the concept of Taichi: elements singing different tunes at the same time, but as a whole, it becomes a harmony symphony. Entering from the east side of courtyard, you can find a symmetrical linear space with a flourish flower bed as centerpiece, at the other end of courtyard, a large deciduous tree standing there provides shade for outdoor meeting area and serves as a visual interest. An agricultural garden was placed at the northeast corner which would receive the most sunlight.
On the southern shaded side of courtyard, a firepit, an outdoor entertainment area and an outdoor dining area together, occupying the best part of courtyard.