Sydney Easter Show Competition
paper crane courtyard – design philosophy
The crane is an ancient cultural symbol of the orient… it also brings back childhood memories of paper folding. In Asian culture, the crane represents longevity and good fortune and, in more recent time, the paper crane means hope and new beginnings.
As a flock they fly in a V formation, conserving their energy for long journeys …….. they are known to dance purely in happiness ……… and will carry your prayers for those who are ill or at war.
In the courtyard garden
I wanted to create a simple space, each element has a place and how the pieces come together is in the experience of the garden.
The centrepiece is designed to represent the crane flock in V formation, and the reflection pool to play on the concept of beginnings and endings.
The view keeps changing as you move through the space.
The feature tree, is a Sapium sebiferum, Chinese tallowood – with gold red foliage in autumn the Sapium represents the red crown of the crane.
The planting palette reflects a merging of cultures – the Westringia balls – a Japanese gardening style applied to an Australian plant – the framing Philodenron wall is reminiscent of formal English gardens and Australia’s history and, as a greenwall, it represents new technologies.
this courtyard is for reflection