UNITE
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49.265898683400955, -123.251743608119557
A1 - Home Ground
A2 - Cube Method
A3 - Supernatural • nitobe • šxʷsyiçəm (spanish banks)
A4 - Buchanan Rain
A5/A6 - Lost in Translation
The class is tasked with observing and recording local environments, specifically comparing and contrasting different forms of greenspaces. The assignment involves examining the program, structure, and function of human-made and natural areas at two locations: Nitobe Garden at UBC and Spanish Banks in West Point Grey.
Learning Expectations
- Develop skills in observing and recording different types of greenspaces.
- Compare and contrast human-made and natural environments.
- Engage with multisensorial experiences and document them.
- Practice clear and thoughtful annotation.
- Experiment with graphic styles and representation techniques.
Process / Intention
The layers in a Japanese garden such as Nitobe have shown me how a careful stratification can lead to better understanding of the parts that make the whole. How elements of all the interdependent, living layers contribute to the recursive wellbeing of the space. For instance how the reveal of the roots and moss along the path almost forces me to see the wires of this very ancient computer.
While drawing the plan of the garden I imagined a balloon or a flexible container with a liquid where they shaped it using ties around specific parts which gives the aquatic edge such a naturalistic figure. Thus, perhaps managing and contributing to the force of the flow of water.
▼ volume
< movement
light >
When I look into the subject of the garden’s harmony I think of layers.
Layers of space, time, light, colour, life, movement, reflection, volume.
I can hear and see and feel on my skin the layers of the space and how they are positioned for a certain kind of an experience. My attention flows in a way that’s authentic to me, allowing my mind and body to be alone but not lonely.
life ^
This train of thought reminds me of the concept of hide and reveal in Japanese design theory.
Miegakure 見え隠れ
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Forms the foundation of the garden ecosystem
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Carefully prepared to support plants and maintain proper drainage
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Provides nutrients and moisture for trees, moss, and other plants
- Often aerated and enriched to balance tree root growth with other elements
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Anchor trees deeply, stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion
- Absorb water and nutrients from the soil
- Create symbiotic relationships with soil microorganisms
- Sometimes emerge above ground, adding visual interest
- Shaped to create a sense of calmness and balance in the garden
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Central feature in many Japanese gardens
- Grows on soil, rocks, and tree roots, creating a lush, green carpet
- Thrives in moist, shaded areas, often under trees
- Forms a symbiotic relationship with soil
— Soil provides a stable substrate
— Moss helps retain soil moisture and reduces erosion
- Creates soft transitions between tree roots and surroundings
- Adds a sense of age and tranquility to the garden
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Serves both practical and aesthetic purposes
- Used for pathways and in dry landscapes (karesansui)
- Provides contrast to the greenery of moss and trees
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Aids in drainage, preventing waterlogging around trees and moss
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Can be raked into patterns, adding a meditative element
- Sometimes covers soil to create clean lines or evoke water flow
< colour
scale >
< life