Silver Gilt Medal
The Tokonoma Garden - Sanumaya no Niwa, revives the tradition of viewing a beautiful landscape from the tokonoma, a raised alcove once central to Japanese family life. While visitors cannot enter the room itself, they will experience the tranquil view from outside, where stone, moss, water, and seasonal plants create a contemplative scene.
The theme is harmony and connection, inspired by the designer's childhood memories of the Sanumaya drapery store, where his large family gathered. In the past, the tokonoma served as a place where family meals, conversations, and hospitality unfolded while enjoying views of the garden beyond. Today, such rooms are rare, and the designer seeks to reimagine this cultural tradition for modern times. The garden embodies both personal memory and universal values of family togetherness and community, offering visitors a space to pause, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
The garden includes a traditional stone lantern, which conveys a sense of weight and permanence. An unusual feature is the garden gate, crafted with distinctive form and artistry. As visitors pass through it, the gate heightens their sense of anticipation for the special world ahead - the unfolding garden scenery and the architectural features that await beyond.
The garden will be relocated in the UK - plans will be announced at a later date.
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