Landscape Design Inspired by Zen Aesthetics
Private Residence
Location: Buckinghamshire
Client: Private Client
Status: Ongoing
Located in a Buckinghamshire village, this property enjoys breathtaking views over the River Misbourne and is framed by mature trees along its northern boundary. With a fully renovated and extended home featuring a contemporary glass rear elevation, the landscape design was carefully crafted to ensure a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The aim was to balance the architectural form with the surrounding landscape while creating a functional and inviting outdoor environment.
The client sought a garden that would offer both practical and aesthetic value, incorporating a kitchen garden alongside relaxed seating and entertainment areas. The design embraces the Japanese concept of Fukinsei, an approach rooted in Zen philosophy that celebrates asymmetry, imperfection, and natural balance.
Blending Architecture with Nature
The garden was designed to complement the contemporary extension, allowing views to flow naturally from the house across the landscape. Rather than relying on traditional symmetry, the composition introduces carefully arranged elements that create a sense of controlled balance through irregularity and contrast.
The layout integrates structured planting with natural forms, ensuring that the outdoor space feels both curated and organic. The seating and entertainment areas are subtly positioned to take advantage of the views while maintaining a feeling of enclosure and tranquility.
The Influence of Fukinsei in the Garden Design
Fukinsei, derived from the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, embraces the idea that beauty lies in imperfection and incompleteness. In this garden, asymmetry and irregular forms replace rigid symmetry, reflecting the natural rhythms of the landscape.
Elements such as winding paths, unevenly placed stepping stones, and the use of odd-numbered planting groups create a dynamic and visually engaging composition. Inspired by the Enso circle, which represents imperfection in Zen art, the design incorporates curved forms and open spaces to invite movement and contemplation.
Functional & Tranquil Outdoor Spaces
In addition to its philosophical inspiration, the garden was designed to be highly functional. The kitchen garden provides a practical yet aesthetically pleasing feature, allowing the homeowners to grow fresh produce while remaining in harmony with the rest of the landscape. The seating areas, positioned to capture the best views, are integrated within the natural setting, offering spaces for relaxation and reflection.
A Thoughtful & Timeless Garden Design
This landscape embraces a unique design philosophy, moving away from traditional Western garden structures in favour of a more organic and intentional approach. By applying the principles of Zen aesthetics, the space becomes an ever-evolving reflection of nature, seamlessly blending imperfection and harmony.
Service offered: Design & Landscaping
“The landscape design work Vicki and her team provided has been nothing but exemplary. We gave a complex client brief and Vicki completely understood what we were trying to achieve. It was such a joy to work with CGLA from the concept, through detailed construction plans, to the final planting.
Now the garden is complete, our neighbors and every casual passer by make the effort to stop and compliment. We were looking for an outdoor space we could enjoy ourselves and such a degree of external appreciation was unexpected and testament to employing CGLA from the outset.
For us its not a question as to whether you should engage with Cool Gardens, is more how you can afford not to. Our outside space is an extension of our inside living space and is joyous. Thank you, Vicki and the team!”
CGLA are an award winning team of Landscape Architects, Garden Designers Landscapers and Garden Maintenance Operatives working in Buckinghamshire, London and the South East, as well as on prestigious design projects across the UK and abroad. We are currently working in Oman, Jersey and France, and welcome enquires for design, landscaping or garden maintenance. Contact us here
