Conceptualized for the shallow banks of a tributary in the deep south of the united states sits the house of four gardens. The house is nestled between the live oaks and perennial ferns indigenous to the region of the savannah river.
The house is an expression of humanity’s moral imperative to define meaning in life. As stated by english philosopher david e. Cooper in his work, a philosophy of gardens, the relationship between man and garden is in fact symbolic of the virtues one must strive towards in life. Virtues of character that form the quality of one’s life as a whole or as aristotle described as “dispositions towards appropriate ways of acting.” These virtues of character are exemplified through the communal interaction one has with nature. Cultivation, mediation, community and sanctuary define four modalities of personal growth and character. In an effort to define one’s meaning is to cultivate a sense of awareness, "the garden is an epiphany of man's relationship to the mystery," and "this relationship is its meaning.”
The house is organized on a harmonious grid of 12’ x 12’ concrete double barrel vaults, thirty in total centered on an inner courtyard. A composition of four gardens organize one’s relationship to nature through physical accessibility and visual reference. The character of the home is presented in these spaces. The gardens act as a bridge between the surrounding natural environment and the interior spaces, assimilating nature and humanity. They bring life through their light and shadow, creating dynamism and challenging the privacy of the building. The interior living spaces host a humble program of living, dining, cooking and sleeping. Each space is defined by the geometry of the corridor in plan. Throughout the entire house one retains direct access to the exterior environment. Introducing nature into the home provides a sensitivity to the place, embracing its spirit.
“the house of four gardens is a seminal work for the studio. The work embodies the cultivated awareness one earns through the trials of life. The house represents one’s resilience in the face of adversity and a respect for ourselves in harmony with nature. The house is truth as art, an expression of the human spirit in splendor and imperfection.” - marc thorpe
House of Four Gardens