BPS Garden of Remembrance

Location: Bangkok, Thailand, SE Asia

Client: BPS

Landscape Design: Rousena Hoag, ASLA

Project Description:

Thailand and thirteen other countries were hit by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami, which took hundreds of thousands of lives. The proximity to the earthquake epicenter, the tsunami to reach the southern coast of Thailand in two hours.

At that time, our family was living in Thailand and was affected by the loss of friends, particularly our kids’ friends. We attended with many people helping survivors arriving at the airport right after the tragedy to find ways to communicate with their families and find for them shelter while the aftermath of the tsunami was still happening. Through the mourning process, I was asked to design a Memorial Garden to remember families that lost their lives and survivors of the tragedy. The Memorial Garden is a walk through the memories of these families and how they wished to remember their loved ones. It would be an understatement to say it was easy to design it. It was a healing process that took place throughout this endeavor and during the construction as well.

Prayer Garden

Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA

Client: DSBC

Landscape Design: Rousena Hoag, ASLA

Project Description:

DSBC wanted to provide an oasis in the midst of the city that encourages people to have a quiet moment during the day. The beautiful southwest plant material in combination with boulders and the peaceful sound of the water throughout the site, creates the right atmosphere for this garden. Large trees provide shade around seating areas and the pathway that navigates the garden is also inviting. The garden is surrounded by a perimeter stucco wall on one side and connects visually to the other side with the sanctuary through a large glass window.

The entrance to this oasis is near the main sanctuary’s entrance doors and has a rich southwest appearance creating a small courtyard that is warm and welcoming.

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