"No matter what tradition or background we come from, or what beliefs we hold, our brains are hard-wired to perceive certain natural phenomena as special, elevating them from the ordinary. They connect us to each other and to the greater cosmos on a level beyond words and worldly concerns. No language is more universal to the human experience than that of the natural realm in both planned and wild form.
"We perceive our world through the five senses. But we experience it emotionally. Certain sights and images produce emotional responses in us. When we attempt to create peaceful or sanctuary spaces we're seeking to create images and experiences that evoke feelings that soothe and calm the mind while inspiring the spirit. The bulk of what has been written about gardens is concerned with the visual, how things look to the observer. Here we are principally concerned with how one feels in the garden, how that space makes you feel when you occupy it. How you feel is everything here!" Sacred Gardens, Michel & Judy Marcellot Published July 2007
We built this spot for a friend who had just been hired as a high school principal in a tough city. She needed a spot where she could relax and connect with peace and serenity. The rocks visible in the center are actually protruding out into the water so that she can be surrounded by water while meditating to the sounds of the waterfall.
"One of the most important ways that I measure success of a garden is how it changes the way you feel." Holly Shimizu, Executive Director, US Botanic Garden
PAVING IS A PASSION!
TIMBER FRAMES, A SPECIALTY
Zen Litchgate, Seekonk, Ma