This garden was designed with the clients' desire to re-create at home their experience of touring gardens in Japan and other parts of Asia. This Asian influenced garden features meandering pathways, authentic artifacts, and a naturalized water feature intended to mimic a natural stream and cascading waterfalls. Nestled among mature trees, the fast moving stream appears to be a continuation of a larger water course as the stream wanders through the woods and cascades over a natural stone waterfall. The water travels to a second waterfall and under an arching bridge as the water then wraps around the deck, giving the illusion that the water course continues even further.
What appears to occur effortlessly in nature must be carefully considered in order to achieve the same effect. Grade heights and levels must be prepared precisely during the excavation phase in order to successfully create the look, feel, and sound of a naturally occuring steambed, waterfall and pond. An additional design challenge to the creation of this garden was to incorporate the existing deck structures into the overall landscape.
Once the grading work is complete, a protective underlayment is draped over the sculpted earth. A water-tight liner is then installed over the protective underlayment.
The liner is then adjusted over the surface of the stream and pond areas. Although smaller pieces of liner may be seamed together, AguaFina prefers to utilize monolithic portions of liner (as shown) to insure the integrity of the water tight barrier.
AguaFina is well known and respected for the art of stone setting, particularly in the creation of water features. One of the guiding principles followed in forming naturalized ponds and streams is utilizing a large variety of stone in various shapes. Achieving a “random” effect with stone is one of the more challenging tasks our designers and craftsman face.
Accent pieces including hand carved stone lanterns set in the garden help to re-create the feeling the client had while touring gardens in Japan and elsewhere in Asia. 
A large natural stone boulder serves as the threshold at the entrance to this Asian designed garden. The antique water basin serves to set the tone and expectations for one's experience of the garden. The sight of the waterfall is carefully framed without revealing much of what lays beyond the threshold. As one passes into the garden and through the narrow entrance, the garden space opens up and the visitor is exposed to the large breadth of the garden.
The gravel pathway leads you visually through the garden and sets the rhythms of the space. Hand-carved Japanese lanterns grace the periphery.
An antique stone water basin is set at the entrance to the garden. Traditionally, water basins were used in Japanese and Asian gardens as an opportunity to ritualistically cleanse oneself prior to entering a garden (many of these gardens were located at temples and shrines).
A unique challenge was to meet the client’s request to have a significant water flow, yet maintain relatively calm water as not to obscure the view of the koi. To achieve this effect, a veil type waterfall was created for the primary waterfall, and the pond was elongated to allow the turbulent water to dissipate before reaching the deck (the prime viewing location). A promontory stone was set into the water to allow closer viewing of the fish which is also used as a feeding platform. A biological filtration system maintains the balance in the pond and insures clear water.
The use of stone, natural plantings, the soft sound of falling water, Japanese lanterns and other accents, all serve to re-create an authentic experience of a traditional Asian garden.
This stone Rokkaku Yukimi lantern is but one of several traditional Japanese lanterns placed throughout the garden.
The perfect blend of art & nature, this garden features large stones in natural settings as well as artisan crafted Japanese lanterns, hand carved by stone masons.
These traditional style Japanese lanterns were hand carved by stone masons who have been perfecting their art through generations. AguaFina features not only Japanese lanterns but also natural stone lanterns and fountains in their garden decor collection.
This Kasuga style Japanese lantern is one of the more traditional stone lanterns found in a Japanese garden. Their history dates to approximately 700 AD and they are found in the Shinto shrines of Nara, Japan and Daishon Temple in Miya-jima. AguaFina has a large selection of hand carved stone and granite pieces, including Japanese lanterns, natural stone fountains and other garden décor pieces, including both traditional items and accents for modern gardens as well.
This view is from the back edge of the watercourse, looking back at the garden from under a bridge that connects the two decks (note the decks were pre-existing and the garden had to be build around these structures).
Traditional Japanese lanterns such as this hand-crafted 'Five Pagoda' style lantern provide visual interest and help to re-create the experience of an authentic Japanese garden.
The intent of the design was as though one has come across an ancient garden set in the midst of the woods. This was achieved in part by fully incorporating and blending the paths into the existing environment and topography. Natural granite boulders that had a flat walkable portion were incorporated into the stone and gravel pathway as subtle accent.
A small stone Japanese lantern is perched atop an outcropping of large stones in a natural setting. At this point the pathways diverge, allowing the guest to choose to progress towards the pond or continue strolling amongst the trees.
