Gallery

Marc Thorpe Design

“As for the meaning of gardens, particular gardens may have, of course, all sorts of different meanings - emotive, historical, emblematic, religious, commemorative, and so on. But I think that good gardens all signify or exemplify an important truth about the relationship of culture and nature - their inseparability.”
David E Cooper

Taking influence from english philosopher David E. Cooper in his work, a philosophy of gardens, the space is as an expression of humanity’s moral imperative to define meaning in life. Cooper poses that the relationship between man and garden is symbolic of the virtues of character one must strive towards in life, exemplified through the communal interaction one has with nature.

The house of four gardens is organized along an harmonious grid of thirty 12’ x 12’ concrete double barrel vaults, centered around an inner courtyard. A composition of four gardens introduce a physical and visual connection with nature throughout the conditioned interior. The character of the home is presented in these spaces, acting as a bridge between the dwelling and the surrounding environment.
The gardens bring life to the house through their dynamic light and shadows, challenging the privacy of the building. The project is programmed with a collection of living, dining, cooking, and sleeping areas — each space defined by the geometry of the corridor in plan. each space of the house maintains direct access to the natural surroundings. Introducing nature into the home provides a sensitivity to the place, embracing its spirit.