{"id":14761,"date":"2019-07-24T11:25:17","date_gmt":"2019-07-24T18:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/japanesegarden.org\/?page_id=14761"},"modified":"2026-01-02T11:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T19:22:51","slug":"with-an-eye-towards-nature-japanese-garden-design-intensive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/japanesegarden.org\/japan-institute\/thecenter\/with-an-eye-towards-nature-japanese-garden-design-intensive\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Garden Design Intensive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Note: Our Japanese Garden Design Intensive will not be offered in 2026. We are currently in the process of carefully and intentionally reviewing this program with the goal of it returning in 2027. To stay updated, please\u00a0sign up<\/a>\u00a0for the Training Center\u2019s quarterly newsletter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an Eye Towards Nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Designing with nature is a powerful but relatively recent approach in the western garden-making tradition. In Japan, for well over a millennium, garden-makers have been guided by the philosophy that nature is the first design teacher. That tradition has much to teach us about making places capable of answering ecological needs and providing visitors with a sense of space, stillness, and balance even in a hectic, crowded urban setting.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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This program by the Japanese Garden Training Center <\/a>is a three-day course provides 25 hours of theoretical and hands-on training in the Japanese approach to designing with nature and its modern use and application. Traditional techniques of arranging stone, plants, and water according to nature\u2019s design principles are placed in historical perspective and given contemporary social context as tools for creating meaningful spaces that connect people to their environment. On-site thematic garden tours and lectures offer theoretical instruction in observing and analyzing composition and representations of nature in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An offsite excursion offers an opportunity to engage with and study the magnificent waterfalls, streams, plant life and rock formations of Oregon.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Drawing by hand is foundational to critical thinking, absorbing skills at the intuitive level, and developing a cultivated eye, and is the course\u2019s core hands-on activity.  Students are expected to keep documentation of their observations and drawing work in a sketchbook. A required preparatory module including readings and assignments will be given well in advance of the course\u2019s start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approved Continuing Education Credit<\/strong>: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

15 to 25 hours for LA CES by the American Society of Landscape Architects. 4 continuing education units for the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learning Objectives:<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the course, students should be able to recognize, explain and be able to apply to their work in the below methods:<\/p>\n\n\n\n