Where landscape design meets the philosophy of place
Thoughtful essays on garden architecture, the history of designed landscapes, and why the spaces we build outdoors shape how we live.
The Geometry of Rest: Why Pergola Proportions Matter More Than You Think
The golden ratio appears not just in Renaissance paintings but in every garden structure that feels instinctively right. We trace the line from Palladio's loggias to the modern backyard pergola.
Why Your Garden Has Rooms (And Who Invented Them)
From Hidcote to your backyard — the surprising origin of the garden room concept and why spatial division is the single most powerful tool in landscape design.
The Case for Cedar: A 500-Year Love Affair With Decay Resistance
Long before pressure treatment existed, builders chose western red cedar for structures exposed to weather. The chemistry behind its durability reads like a botanical thriller.
The Threshold Effect: How Overhead Structures Change Behavior
Research from environmental psychology reveals that semi-enclosed outdoor spaces — pergolas, pavilions, arbors — trigger a specific relaxation response that open lawns cannot.
Training Wisteria: The Decade-Long Partnership Between Vine and Frame
Growing wisteria on a trellis is not gardening — it is a decade-long architectural collaboration between two living systems, one of which happens to be made of wood.
Versailles to Vermont: How French Formal Gardens Became New England Backyards
The journey from Le Notre's grand axes to the symmetrical foundation plantings of American colonial homes is shorter than you might imagine — about three garden designers.
The Outdoor Room Revolution: 2026's Shift Toward Functional Garden Architecture
Landscape architects report a decisive move away from decorative plantings toward usable outdoor rooms — kitchens, offices, studios — supported by permanent structures.
Designing With Shadow: How Light Through Structure Creates Emotion
A rafter's shadow is not a byproduct — it is the primary design material of a pergola. The pattern of light and dark across a patio changes mood, temperature, and even time perception.
A Pattern Language for the Garden: What Christopher Alexander Teaches Us About Outdoor Spaces
Alexander's landmark work on architectural patterns includes dozens of entries about gardens, courtyards, and outdoor rooms. We revisit them with fresh eyes and find they describe exactly what modern landscape design is rediscovering.
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