New book small: a concise orientation before we get practical.
New book small: Quick notes
Situated on an ecological reserve 100 miles from Mexico City, The Ruins was designed with water and stone to look as ancient as Moray, and to be just as functional. In the rainy season, the round pool garden fills up, acting as a cistern for the rural collective based there. As it drains, lower water gardens are revealed, with their own beauty. It can be used for swimming at every stage; the lowest one just involves a bit more climbing. “Like ripples, the lake features circular paths that slowly emerge during the dry season,” says Estudio Ome. They wanted to examine how good a landscape could look, post-evaporation.
Above: The Ruins garden was designed to resemble Moray, the circular Inca landscape in Peru. Photograph via Estudio Ome.
Hidden in a cloud forest 7,000 feet above sea level, The Ruins is part of an ecological reserve, Reserva Peñitas, which has water autonomy across the site and in this particular garden. Although the land is not irrigated, the soil is richer because the planting is regenerative: berrying shrubs and fruiting trees help to nourish the soil, promoting the growth of further water-storing vegetation. Blueberries are natural companion plants to Andean alder, both preferring slightly acidic soil. Biodiversity is increased with native and migratory birds using the site.
Above: A ripple effect of planting and stone around the terrace, mirroring the shape of the lake. Photograph by Alex Radouan.
The circular water garden is overlooked by another circle, a semicircular house completed with a semicircular terrace. The rounded walls and paths between the house and pool garden were placed carefully with hand-cut stone, giving an impression of antiquity and encouraging their cracks and crevices to be inhabited by flora and fauna. The effect would be like finding a ruin-garden in the forest.
Above: Water runoff is channelled to the pool along ditches. Locally native oak, Quercus laurina, was used for the main terrace, in a dialogue with the forest trees. Photograph by Alex Radouan.
“Today’s gardens and green spaces are at the vanguard of positive change, modern-day crucibles for ideas and innovation,” writes Lottie. “At last, gardens are being championed for what they can do—reverse the biodiversity crisis, save water, prevent drought…” the long list continues. Chapters are titled Repair, Empower, Nourish, Heal and Reimagine.
Above: “Gardens can do it all,” says Lottie Delamain. Shown here, Agave americana with thoughtful stone work. Photograph by Alex Radouan.
Gardens That Can Save the World by Lottie Delamain is published on April 14 in the US by Thames & Hudson.
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New book small comes up here to connect ideas for clarity.
We reference New book small briefly to keep the thread coherent.
On a similar note: nice idea; I might try this in my garden 🌿. So cozy.
Quick thought — Practical and pretty — bookmarking this.