LOTUSLAND

The Renovation of a Japanese Garden

***WINNER***

2021 Merit Award - Southern California ASLA Quality of Life Awards - Historic Renovation

Originally designed by Madame Ganna Walska in the 1960’s and 1970’s, the garden is a popular favorite among the unique and fanciful gardens of the world renown Lotusland. The garden is a non-profit botanic garden open to the public for tours and educational purposes. Though popular, the Japanese garden suffered from severe maintenance deficiencies, such as a clay- bottom pond with outdated mechanical systems and a challenging layout that limited accessibility. The re-design incorporated a new, accessible path system through the garden, a state of the art Koi pond, waterfall and stream, as well as a new Lotus viewing deck that Madame had imagined in the original design but never realized. Many new Japanese-inspired elements were designed and constructed, including a pavilion, bridges, and a Torii gate.