The Master Landscape Architect Garden for the International Horticulture Exhibition Xi’an 2011, is a poetic reinterpretation of traditional Chinese gardens seen through a Western lens. Inspired by the atmospheric qualities of classical Chinese landscape paintings, the garden seeks to create a delicate balance between the natural and the artificial, evoking harmony, serenity, and sensory engagement.
Natural materials are used throughout stone paths, earth textures, and timber structures allowing visitors to feel nature with their hands and feet. The planting strategy mirrors the composition of a traditional landscape: pine and cedar trees occupy the upper part of the garden, while flowering deciduous trees populate the valley-like lower areas.
A custom-designed wicker fence surrounds the space, integrating climbing vegetation and providing a sense of mystery. Light is soft and warm, glowing from wicker lanterns nestled on the ground and hanging from trees. Water features, birdcages, and floral scents enhance a multisensory experience, offering moments of stillness and introspection.
The design expresses ongoing dialogue between Eastern inspiration and Mediterranean culture, bridging traditions through contemporary landscape architecture.
