Chinese
Garden Design
Dawn
Einwalter, Ph.D.
Introduction
| Chinese
gardens can easily be adapted to a North American context. They offer
exquisite structural detail, interesting flora, challenging views, and
intimate spaces that can enhance both office and home.
This
website offers a brief overview of the unique characteristics of Chinese
gardens. As an anthropologist and landscape architect, I am interested
in making Chinese gardens more accessible to the North American public,
and am available to help you with design and construction. Please
see my credentials and contact information if you are interested in obtaining
assistance with your own Chinese garden.
A Note on Feng
Shui: Chinese feng shui practices have become fairly popular
in recent years. Please note that I do not offer feng shui
recommendations, although some garden design principles are in keeping
with
feng shui practices. You may wish, however, to contract
separately with a feng shui practitioner. |
Stairs to Viewing Pavilion |
Helping
you Design Your Chinese Garden
If
you have become intrigued by this website and are interested in having
your own Chinese-style garden, I can create a professional design tailored
to your home or office.
If
you are a resident of northern California or Nevada, I may be able to visit
your property in person. If you live elsewhere, be prepared to mail
or e-mail me an accurate description of your property, along with a basic
lay-out in plan view (top-down). Accurate dimensions of your property
are essential. Photos are also helpful.
In
preparation for our consultation, you may wish to consider the following
questions:
-
What mood(s)
do you hope that your garden will invoke?
-
How do
you plan to use your garden (e.g., as place to putter, as a view, as a
place to meditate)?
-
Who else
will use your garden?
-
What is
the building style of your home or office?
-
How would
you describe your personal style (e.g., interior decorating, dress, color
choice)?
-
What physical
elements would you like your garden to have?
Credentials
I
have visited China many times since 1989 to teach and carry out research.
While a resident of the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, and Chengdu, I had
the pleasure of visiting many of China's most famous and beautiful gardens.
I have
a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Washington and
a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Davis.
Contact
Information
To
arrange an initial consultation, I can be contacted via my e-mail address
at lupine@gbis.com.