Gardens should be authentic, reflecting the full spectrum of emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness—without any pretense, and filled with vitality. The entrances and exits of life are well-grounded. A garden should embody what people aspire to be: sincere, unguarded, composed, imperfect yet whole. Only then does a garden gain true meaning. It is these external elements that inspire us to become better versions of ourselves.
We often celebrate refinement and shy away from imperfections, but what happens when we embrace flaws? Can this acceptance bring calmness and warmth, distancing us from harshness? Can it make us delicate yet resilient, shedding fragility? Will it help us understand others and forgive ourselves? When we stop fearing loss, can we approach life lightly, leaving no regrets, asking only whether we have truly given our best?
In observing concrete, I found the answer.
▲ Outdoor dining area
▲ Landscape wall and flower pool
Concrete appears in works by masters like Le Corbusier and Tadao Ando, in highways and skyscrapers worldwide. Yet, each piece is unique—malleable yet stubborn.
The best way to appreciate concrete is by observing a small section closely. You’ll notice bubbles, cracks, traces of mud, the instant solidification at the start, and the gradual peeling over time.
▲ Flowing water landscape wall
The client for this project is a renowned musician. When the couple proposed using concrete, Jianan Garden felt fortunate to work with such an inspiring client!
The garden’s structure is simple, with the main space centered in the northern courtyard. The west side serves as an outdoor dining area, the east side is designated for relaxation, and the wooden decking with water features in the middle is primarily designed for gatherings and parties.
▲ Main courtyard landscape
The western platform is poured entirely in concrete. It rises horizontally from the ground to form a tabletop, then bends downward to become a flower bed. The concrete continues, suspended on the northern side as a flower bed and water feature, then extends eastward to create seating.
▲ Detail of the console
▲ Outdoor dining area
▲ Water scenic area
▲ Outdoor leisure area
The entire ground is also poured with concrete, with drainage managed through a wooden platform at the center. At night, soft lighting and gentle breezes mingle with gravel, concrete, wood, and plants, creating a relaxed and inviting garden atmosphere.
▲ Courtyard at dusk
▲ Night scene of landscape wall planting pool
Concrete, with its solid simplicity, supports flowers and clusters of plants. After rain, petals and veins often leave delicate traces on this gray surface—rich and translucent. The sharp, natural texture of the material blends seamlessly with the living atmosphere, creating a distinctive character for the courtyard.
▲ Main entrance
▲ Secondary entrance
▲ Integration of water and greenery
If the beauty of a garden is to flourish by embracing weathering and age, then time itself becomes part of the design. Time never needs to pause; the shifting light waves in the river of memory simply exist as they are.
▲ Plan view
▲ Elevation view
Project Information
Project Name: Courtyard Design of Youshan Meidi Villa
Completion Date: July 2019
Project Area: 280 square meters
Location: Youshan Meidi Villa Area, Shunyi District, Beijing
Design Firm: Beijing Jianan Landscape Design Firm
Website: www.jiananplan.com
Contact Email: __AI_S_SC0__
Lead Designer: Yang Shu
Design Team: Chief Designer Yang Shu; Assistant Designer Li Qiang
Client: Private Owner
Photographer: Dong Liping
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up