GU: Your drawings for this project show a series of hybrid plant-rock structures, almost like woodland creatures, that help delineate the space. What was your inspiration for the forms? PM: Woodland creature is an outstanding term. We want the rock to be at eye level,
floating above the ground, to create a very direct and intimate experience similar to a traditional Chinese scholar’s rock.
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One client has a great appreciation for rocks and mosses, and the other is a urologist, so of course a water feature has to be included. We highlight a variety of small plant species that would grow in the cracks of the rocks, almost like a miniature botanical garden or a mini-ecosystem. By exploring different rock typologies, we have developed a number of methods to conceive this, with a lot of attention to detailing the plant system: size, angle, depth, distance and distribution of holes, such that they hold enough soil and can collect rainwater that drips down and creates a field around the rock. The rock’s orientation creates different microclimates and a dynamic experience. MEIJERINK
into this short distance. Time and experience are fundamental to this notion of landscape architecture: walk slowly - take an interest in horticultural species diversity - listen to the sound of water dripping - watch an icicle building up in the winter - compare representational trees to real trees - see color touch a floating planted rock - hear the sound of gravel being slowly walked upon. We intend to shape this landscape as a psychological space and healing garden—an enchanted garden in the midst of parking lots, gas stations, highways and traffic lights.
GU : ISSUE 05