Zen Gardens

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Frank Lloyd Wright 

Explore Two of Rockford’s Hidden Architectural Gems

Docent-led tours focus on the architectural components of two homes with Japanese cultural design influences but distinctly different character.  Guests will be granted exclusive access to Anderson Japanese Gardens’ 16th century Sukiya-style Guest House and the Laurent House, the only home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright specifically for a client with a physical disability.

Japanese Garden: Sanbō-in

Sanbō-in

Sanbō-in

Sanbō-in

Japanese garden

Sanbō-in

Sanbō-in

Sanbō-in

The beautiful Japanese garden at Sanbō-in was established in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1582–1615). It was a sub-temple of Daigo-ji, which is a Heian period temple founded in 902. The temple complex had fallen into disrepair during the Sengoku period. 

A majority of the present buildings and the garden of Sanbō-in date from the late 16th century. The garden is designed as a stroll garden with a large pond and several paths and bridges. The garden is said to contain over 700 stones -- and one of them, called the Fujito stone, is said to have cost over 5,000 bushels of rice.

Sanbō-in is also a noteworthy illustration of a landscape garden which is designed for viewing from a specific perspective within a building. As laid out in the Momoyama period, the garden remains one of the finest uses of the "fortuitous crane," the "tortoise" and the "isle of eternal youth." These poetic terms identify specific ways in which stones and ponds are poised in a prescribed, esoteric relationship.

In 1598, Toyotomi Hideyoshi redesigned an existing garden in order as avenue for an extravagant cherry blossom-viewing party.

Mid Century Modern Landscaping

Mid-Century Modern design is all the rage now. I love it too. 

The 1972 book published by Readers Digest, "Practical Guide to Home Landscaping," has contributions from noted Landscape Architects -- Douglas Baylis, Thomas Church, Robert Malkin, Theodore Osmundson, and others.

This book is a comprehensive reference of Mid-Century Modern Landscape design and architecture. Exciting inspirational ideas for landscapers, designers, carpenters, architects, and homeowners. Includes hundreds of cool color, and black and white photographs, drawings, plans, and illustrations. Subjects covered include:

Ideas For Your Garden -- limited space, outdoor living, remodel existing landscapes, city gardens

Planning -- design principles, sizes and shapes, drawings

Planting -- trees, schrubs, accent plants, herbs, vegetables, fruit

Construction -- wood, concrete, brick, concrete block, stone, canvas, plastic, earth

Projects -- walkways, paths, steps, fences, walls, gates, screens, sun, shade, outdoor living, privacy, childrens play areas, storage, water, light, decorative art, sculpture

Feature Pages -- classic ideas, privacy, free materials, Japanese landscaping, tools, gravel, mailbox, storage, light for dramatic effect, railroad ties, climate and more

Some of the top-flight Architects and Designers that are featured in this book include: Robert W. Chittock, Lawrence Halprin, Burr Richards, Benjamin Baldwin, and others.