Garden renovation @ La Cascade Condominium - Ekamai 10, Bangkok _2008

Project : La Cascade Condominium garden renovation

Type of project : Residential

Landscape Company : Freelance

Year : 2008

Location : Soi Ekamai, Bangkok

My mission : garden design for renovation, construction supervision, tree doctoring

1- Project summary

The design process was completed under close supervision from the Committee, who really invested time and efforts, and expected good results.

Construction was immediately complemented with a tree doctoring intervention, to improve the health, looks and growing patterns of the existing trees.

2 - Before

Before (view from the side) : the garden was not up to the building's standards. The Committee requested to increase the value of this upscale Bangkok condominium

Before (views from lobby and driveway) : obstacles block views, light and access to the garden ; views were not really enticing ; garden was mostly used as a smoking area for drivers and staff

Before (view from main lawn on entrance) : entrance looks did not reflect the inner quality of the appartments. Mature trees do bring a very nice atmosphere but also screen some light out from the lobby area, which much needed it

Before (branches of Delonix regia) : trees were in bad shape and needed intervention ; an otherwise nice Butea monosperma was colonized by mushrooms. Too many trees were competing together while blocking light

3 - Concept design

Views axes and zones : The main request was to make this garden 'a beautiful place to look at'. First, a quick document to identify the major views to take into account. We will 'open' the garden by removing unnecessary plants and fences, while installing focus points to attract the eyes to the depth of the garden (scultpure, feature trees)

Uses of the garden : after organizing a hidden but comfortable rest area for the building staff, who used to sit in front of the lobby, it was time to organize nice looking and comfortable sitting areas near the pond for the residents, and a playground for their kids (it was later decided to simply adjust the existing one rather than building a new one)

Concept design master plan, simple yet clear enough : the whole set up unfold around a reflective pond, that will add dramatic looks from any important vantage point in the garden, while providing light and views under the building. The main open space outside is kept clear to create a feeling that the garden is larger than it really is. Dense planting will enclose the entire garden, and increase the feeling of privacy.

Concept presentation : schematic sections and reference pictures help the client understand what the designer has in mind. At this stage it was decided to choose a contemporary feel with a reflective pond, rather than a 'lush tropical' type of atmosphere.

4 - 3D model

A quick 3D model was made to ensure some later adjustments would be suitable to the layout. It helped the clients understand more accurately how some hardscape elements positionned and their impacts on views. It also proved to be a very useful tool to communicate with the builders. It really helped them understand how the whole setting was being organized, and thus, how they should organize the building process.

This 3D model is a working tool, not intended for presentation

5 - After

Garden, just after completion. Attention has been paid to the weight of the installation, as we are located just on top of the underground parking slab.

This new perspective on the pond brings depths and interest, while at first just giving a glimpse on other parts of the garden. We can see how light reflects on the water during winter, and lightens up the formerly dark ceiling. Plants give a very lush feeling, but controlled. They have been selected as to allow light inside, and views on specific points in the garden.

Views form the lobby and parking driveway, to provide every resident with a daily view on an exciting landscape. (the feature sculpture is not yet in position on its pedestal in the pond).

Different view points on the garden, last one showing the new resting area for the staff, quite succesful as well.

Careful attention has been paid to selecting healthy and nice looking plants. Bottom pictures show how the existing trees were neatly pruned, and their crowns reshaped. There was also a fungicide application to kill mushrooms on the Butea monosperma.