River and Mountains

Inspired by the rivers and mountains of South Korea, this Portland garden celebrates the owner's cultural heritage through sculpted landforms and a plant palette rooted in the landscapes of Korea.  Earth berms evoke mountain forms, while a gentle valley creates a sense of openness and movement through the landscape.  Together, these landforms provide privacy from the street while preserving carefully framed glimpses of the surrounding neighborhood.

A bluestone walkway leads through the garden to the front entry. Strategically placed berms and weathering steel retaining walls create a rhythm of enclosure and revelation. Cascades of Japanese forest grass soften the edges of the walls, while sculptural pines, Stewartias, and layered understory plantings bring texture, seasonal interest, and a naturalistic character to the garden.

The landscape is closely connected to the home's architecture.  Expansive sliding windows open the main living space directly to the front garden, dissolving the boundary between indoors and out. The garden becomes an extension of the living room, bringing the changing light, movement, and textures of the landscape into everyday life.

A pathway branches from the entry walk, connecting the front garden to additional outdoor living spaces at the side and rear of the residence.  Throughout the property, the interplay of sculpted landforms, flowing grasses, and carefully composed views creates a garden that feels both sheltered and expansive—a contemporary interpretation of the Korean landscape that honors personal heritage while enriching the experience of home.