Garden of Transience

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2007

City Garden Category

Awarded Bronze Medal

Designer: Haruko Seki
Sponsors: 

Green and Arts Co.,Ltd, 

Urban Regenerate Association of Niigata
Project Partner:  Makoto Tanaka
Construction: 

Makoto Tanaka,  Kenzo Yamakoshi,  Toshiki Motosugi,  Yuji Yamane, Matt Bodimeade
Project Staff: 

Kenzo Yamakoshi ,  Toshiki Motosugi,  Miwako Takahashi,  

Kaori Gouke 

Piano Compositions: Motoki Hirai /Pianist, Composer

Created within an urban setting, either private garden or a pocket space in commercial buildings, the theme of the garden is tranquillity and a sense of transience.

The small garden could be a valuable space in which we can hide ourselves and nurture inner calm: a space in which to step away from busy daily life and become immersed in the opening of senses.
The garden is designed as a void to project light and shadow. Mirror-like water in a shallow basin reflects the movement of the sky revealing the constant flow of nature. Bamboo sways and reveals the sound of the breeze.

The garden represents how we perceive space with a Japanese sensitivity, especially by changing the quality of light and obscuring the reality of the materials.

This is a deliberately experimental garden where space can have its own world, by emphasising the elements that are related to our memories – by the transient phenomenon of nature; as a piece of poem that awakens something laying deep inside our mind. 

Suppliers:  

paul davies design Ltd,  FUSION GLASS DESIGNS ltd , Lindum, Europlants UK Ltd, Big Plant Nursery,  Pantiles
Contributers:  

Akiko Oshima, Aiko Omori,  Atuko Takayanagi, Hikaru Oda,  Kaori Saito,  Kaori Sano, Kazuko Shirota,  Kinue Tuskamoto, Nana Sugihara, Nozomi Takahashi,  Paul Johnson Sonoko Kuramoto,  Tomomi Watanabe Yukari Johnson
Special Thanks To: Katsuya Design

A reviewed by Tom Turner @gardenvisit.com

Garden in the Silver Moonlight

Chelsea Flower Show 2008

Show Garden Category

Awarded Silver Medal

Designers:

Haruko Seki (Studio Lasso)  

Makoto Saito(add.locus architects, +m)

Sponsors:

Royal Palm Residences Seychelles

Urban Regenerate Association of Niigata

Construction: Generating Gardens Ltd

This is the first contemporary Japanese garden to be featured within the show garden category at the Chelsea Flower Show, where designers across the globe present the latest ideas in garden design. This garden also celebrates the 150th anniversary of the diplomacy and friendship treaty between the UK and Japan.

Inspired by the moon observation stage in Katsura Imperial Villa, the 17th century architectural masterpiece in Kyoto, the garden has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of the Japanese sense of beauty and closeness to nature.

The philosophical understanding of nature in the Japanese tradition is expressed through the provision of a platform from which to observe the garden via the moonlit reflections on the water. This offers a mirror to the notion of the impermanent, transient and continually evolving world in which we live in.

The garden has been created as an art form that stimulates the five senses, realized with the collaboration of various artists and designers who are at the forefront of their professions; landscape, architecture, fine art and music. 

Collaborators: 

Makoto Tanaka (Competition Stage), Masako Shiraishi (Sculpture), Miyazaki Prefecture Parks Foundation (Planting Schematic Design),  Motoki Hirai (Music) ,  John Pearce (Violin)

Suppliers: 

Paul Davies Design Ltd,  Fusion Glass Designs Ltd,  Rock Unique,  Symbiotics Design Consultancy Ltd,   CED Ltd,  Landscapeplus Ltd,  Hillier Nurseries,  Majestic Trees,  Crocus,  Pantiles, Flag UK Ltd,  Lindum

Contributors: 

Megumi Adachi, Izumi Bessho, Ai Fujiwara, Ayato Fujiwara, Masako Francis, Rika Hashimoto, Kei Iwata, Miki Higuchi, Eiko Hiraku, Mariko Iizuka,  Kazunori Inomata, Yukari Johnson, Mariko Kinoshita, Akiko Kitada, Yukiko Kosugi, Tomoyo Kurihara, Junko Kurokawa, Makiko Matsumura, Shoko Nagai

Maiko Nakamura, Yuki Niwa, Mayuko Ogawa, Junko Okada, Tamae Rykers, Kaori Saito, Toshiko Shirai, Noriko Toga, Kinue Tsukamoto, Kaori Umamoto, Yuji Yamane, Yuko Yoneda

Special Thanks to: 

HenDi Group  

Katsuya Design

Akashi Sake Brewery Co.,Ltd

Akemi Sollowey

A reviewed by the thinkinGardens Group | thinkinGardens

A reviewed by Tom Turner @gardenvisit.com

Short Films by BBC & Thinkingardens

EDEN TO ZEN

GBAFS Flower Show Shenzhen 2023

International Show Garden

Grand Gold Award

Location: Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden

Completion: 7th April 2023

Design Team: Haruko Seki (Garden & Landscape Designer), Tomonaga Kosaku (Landscape Architect), Kayoko Ohtsuki (Architect, BAKOKO plc)

Construction: Shenzhen Lvya Ecological Development Co. , Ltd.

Sponsor: Shenzhen Flower Time Horticultural Company

Co-ordinator/Interpreter: Zhang Yi

The gardens of old age in Japan was thought to have influence of Mythical Thought (神仙思想）in China, as the famous poet To-en-mei (陶淵明)suggested Eden =(桃源郷)in his works and Aska & Nara were the periods that had enormous influence of Mythical Thought from China. The concept of Zen in later age in Japan was also related to Mythical Thought in China, which is in the same stream in terms of attitude towards nature. We also propose a way of life that we can be re-connected to the nature even living in a big city like Shenzhen, by having a garden that has special functions to be inspired by nature.

We believe that Japan and China may have chance to develop mutual understanding by evoking the memories that we share from ancient time, throughout the garden and landscape as a spirit of place and home of soul for both countries.

Garden of Memory

GWC Huis Ten Bosch 2012

Show Garden Category

Awarded Bronze Medal

Designer: Haruko Seki

Project Staff: Saori Goke

Sponsor: Huis Ten Bosch Ltd　

Construction: Hanamizuki Corporation Co.,Ltd

We Japanese, having our origins in the forest, have been engaged in the cycle of the universe since ancient times. All things are inter-related as we have continued to repeat the cycle of extinction and regeneration. The universe itself is not a closed system but a reciprocal world much akin to a Mobius Loop; open to the   outside but returning to the inside. It is said that human beings possess this structure deep within the recesses of their subconscious mind.
This garden portrays scenery from a number of shared memories that we Japanese used to have. This includes images of the casting away of evil and the preservation of new life expressed in ceremonies such as the Hina Doll river float (Nagashi-bina) evolving to the Floating Poem culture (Kyokusui-no-utage) and culminating in the peace seeking ceremony in Nagasaki called Shoro Nahashi (Drifting Spirits). The garden implies the cycle of life and death over a long period of time.
The shimmering lights in the water and the sound of wind-chimes that convey energy of the wind work as devises which appeal five-senses, capturing the movements of the earth and the air. A flood of countless rays of light and sounds that were once used in a funeral, which resurfaces from within thousands of years of collective memories; it is a prayer not dissimilar to that which I aim to represent in the scenery of my creation.

Cooperation:

Buturin Co.,Ltdfor Zoysia pacifica  

Yumenomori-Kobo for Lantern  

Nosaku Co.,Ltd for Wind Chime  

Kitsukagumi Co.,Ltd for Construction

Yamada Zoen Limited for Planting

Tagomori Makoto Noen Limited

Tomoyo Shiina,  Rei Iwakawa

Photographs:

Akira Takaira,  Studio Grace  

A Garden in White 

Italian Koi Show 2014 Cesena, Italy

Show Garden

Designer:  Haruko Seki

Collaboration:

Studio CSPE Cesena

for Stand design & construction

Vivai Battistini & Garden Battistini

for Plants Supply, Garden Materials and Garden Construction

The concept of Japanese garden is a creation of perfect balance and harmony in a limited space.

The garden is shown as an enclosed small courtyard in a residence. In this garden of white scheme, all the elements are associated around semicircle pond and talk to each other peacefully with subtle movement. On the contrary, quick motion and red colour of the gold fishes in a pond draw eyes and attentions, that remind us happy memories of 'gold fish-scooping' in summer festivals we Japanese had in our childhood.

Japanese Summer Garden

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2016

Summer Garden Category

Awarded Silver Medal

Designer: Saori Imoto

Project Staff: Haruko Seki, Saori Goke

Sponsors:

Unique Japan Tours

Grantor:

Nomura Foundation

Construction by:

Nihon Garden

Kew Green

This tranquil landscape pays homage to traditional hydrangea temple gardens, which typify summer scenery of Japan. In this garden, lush bamboos and textural moss provide the backdrop to plantings of deep blue hydrangeas. The whole is a scene of subtle contrasts in which the shadows cast by the bamboo enhance the vivid blue of the hydrangeas.

Three important philosophies in Japanese garden design are represented here – ‘Simplicity’, ‘The Beauty of Shadow’ and ‘Asymmetry’. Also traditional technique is used, which is to obscure a view and excite visitor’s curiosity to see what lies beyond, using translucent bamboo fences and the bamboos placed sporadically. The garden invites people to understand these unique points of Japanese garden design. 

Suppliers:

Takasho (Translucent Bamboo Fence)

Tendercare

Big Plant Nursery (Bamboos)

The Japanese Garden Centre (Acers, Water Basin)

Supporters:

Japanese Garden Society

Takuya Ikeuchi (IL Bussan): iron Artist

Nippon Club

Kochi Prefectural Trade Association

Hokiyama Cutlery

Kazuhiro Kawamura

Tomomi Hosono

Location: Marylebone, London W1G

Completion: April 2024

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Momoko Kotani, Aoi Hanada

Contractor: The almanac garden

Metal Frame: Redhouse Forge

Bespoke Movable Planters: Lux Unique

Plants supply: Europlants UK, Creepers (groundcovers)

Photographer: Alister Thorpe

The garden has been selected as Judge’s Award at SGD Awards 2025.

https://sgld.org.uk/events/awards/archive/winners-2025/

The basement patio, part of a large car park for a block of flats, was recently acquired by the clients to create a Japanese garden that is pleasant to view from the basement study room. Given the site conditions, the garden comprises 13 custom-made movable steel planters. By incorporating varying levels and layers of materials—such as the height of the planters, feature stones, and a frosted glass screen at the back—we aim to create a complex space with visual depth. Japanese plants, such as Acer palmatum, provide a delicate atmosphere and subtle movement in the wind, embodying the Japanese sense of beauty.

Location: North London

Completion: September 2024

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Aoi Hanada

Landscape Contractor: The almanac garden

Building Contractor: STC Building Solutions

Project Management: Black & Milk

Suppliers:

Plants: Europlants UK, Creepers

Bonsai: Lee Verhorevoort Bonsai

Stones and Water Feature: The Japanese Garden Centre, Kent

This project is particularly challenging as we aimed to create a Zen Garden on the 24th floor of a large block of flats in the heart of London, overlooking Regent’s Park and giving the impression of floating in the sky.

The clients, with a connection to Japan, wish to incorporate authentic Japanese feature into their newly refurbished property. While the building is surrounded by greenery due to its proximity to the Royal Park, introducing natural elements like stones, gravel, water, moss, and various plants will be beneficial to create a deeper connection to nature in their daily lives.

The most challenging aspect of the project is integrating a Bonsai tree (Chinese Elm) into the indoor environment. This will require special care, and the expectation is that the residents will develop a close bond with the tree. In this sense, the challenge holds significant meaning.

Location: Luker House, Barnes, London

Completion: September 2024

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Dee Horton, Momoko Kotani, Aoi Hanada

Landscape Construction: The clients

Suppliers:

Plants: Europlants UK (Trees & Shrubs), Evergreen Exterior Services (Groundcover)

Stones and Water Feature: The Japanese Garden Centre, Kent

Luker House, a RIBA National & Regional Award Winner in 2014, designed by Jamie Fobert Architects, belongs to a couple deeply involved in its creation. The husband, a service engineer, played an active role in the construction, while his wife, who studied botany and has a deep love for plants, brought her passion to their garden. Having built a garden 10 years ago, they sought to transform it into a contemporary Japanese garden. They decided to retain the hard landscaping at the front but completely redesign the back.

The main challenge was blending Japanese plants with five existing mature white birch trees. In the end, eight Acers and various Japanese species, including Camellia, Pieris, and Nandina, seamlessly integrated into the space. The result is a completely new atmosphere, enhanced by rockery stones and a water feature. The couple undertook the construction themselves, with the husband describing it as a birthday gift for his plant-loving wife.

Location: Charlsworth House, Chelsea, London SW7

Completion: March 2023

The Clients: Sterling Realty Ltd

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Tomonaga Kosaku

Decking Design & Construction: Victor Graudinaru (Interior Designer)

Water Stream Construction: Aquascapes Water Garden Specialists

Preparation Works: Hamabuchi Rhichardson London Garden Makers

Planting: Bruca Gardens, George & James Issacs

Stair Handrail Design & Installation: Acorn Furniture

The inner garden of Charlsworth House, a block of flats nestled in Chelsea, was erected a quarter of a century ago and has undergone a recent rejuvenation. Preserving the integrity of the main structure and the water feature was paramount. In response, Studio Lasso proposed an enhancement strategy that retained these key elements while introducing Japanese-inspired design elements. This included refining water streams and incorporating a botanical scheme rooted in Japanese aesthetics. The intent was to introduce more natural and organic lines, facilitating the transplantation of trees and shrubs with Japanese origins that embody a sense of aesthetic grace, responsive to the tranquility of Japanese beauty.

The revitalized garden not only sought to preserve the existing architectural framework but also aimed to infuse an element of movement, achieved through carefully selected Japanese flora that responds gracefully to the caress of the wind. This deliberate choice serves to soften the play of light, mitigating the harsh shadows cast over rigid materials.

The overarching design philosophy was tailored to offer residents of the flats a serene daily retreat, where they could bask in a peaceful atmosphere enriched by the ever-changing canvas of nature. This dynamic landscape unfolds with the progression of the seasons, featuring an array of blossoms and autumnal hues. Additionally, the incorporation of boggy and water plants along the water stream contributes to a diverse and captivating natural environment, enhancing the overall sensory experience for those inhabiting Charlsworth House.

Location: Wimbledon, London

Completion: June 2021

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Laura Gianoglio

Construction: Aquascapes Water Garden Specialists, Hamabuchi-Richardson London Garden Makers (Stone Works & Planting)

This Japanese Water Garden is built in the part of private garden in Wimbledon including Koi pond, water fall and stream. The clients wanted to have real sense of Japanese garden using moss, rock, arching bridge over the pond etc in their private property where there were English garden and play area. Therefore, the huge transformation has been made on site while the project team experienced lots of challenges in construction period because of Covid-19 and Brexit.

However, it was happy project overall as project team and the clients were bonded in working relationship of trust, thus the project was led to the clients' satisfactory completion. Here is what the client said;

'Covid was not wasted at all as it has given us the opportunity to celebrate nature and the amazing Japanese culture in a corner of our garden. '

Suppliers:

Natural Stones & Stone Lantern: Rhino Rock

Plants: Europlants UK, Tendercare Nurseries, Majestic Trees, Joseph Rochford Gardens, Evergreen Exterior Suppliers

Moss: Natural Welsh Land Supplies, Triangle Nursery

The photographer:

helenfickling.com (photo no. from above: 2,3,4,5,6,7)

Location: Guilford, Surrey, UK

Completion: March 2023

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Tomonaga Kosaku

Construction: Hamabuchi-Rhichardson London Garden Makers

The clients are a Japanese and Brazilian married couple who escaped from London seeking a natural environment and large garden after experiencing lock-down in the Covid pandemic.

The garden has an area of 720 square meters and has a large pond. The clients wanted a Japanese garden that reminded them of a landscape in Japan. Therefore, we brought in various Japanese originated plants such as Prunus accolade (Sato-zakura), Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple), Camellia japonica, Nandina domestica etc that represent ‘Spirit of Place’ in Japan.

An area of about 200 square metres around the pond was transformed into a Japanese garden, and rest of the garden is intended to remain and enhance it’s natural and wild atmosphere by planting 200 of Blue Bells so that the clients have a blue carpet in mid Spring.

The photos were taken by the clients who enjoyed cherry blossom in their garden and told that they were looking at the garden everyday and feeling a sense of joy.

Location: Kingston Upon Thames, UK

Completion: May 2024

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Momoko Kotani, Aoi Hanada, Keroko James

Contractors: Aquascape Water Garden Specialists Ltd (Pond & Water Feature), Sophisticated Construction Ltd (Landscaping)

Plants Supply: Europlants UK, Evergreen Exterior Services (groundcovers)

Photographs: Aoi Hanada

The clients wanted a Japanese garden with a pond on their property. The pond was constructed by mounding up the ground rather than excavating it to avoid damaging the existing tree roots.

While adding new features such as a bridge over the pond, a viewing platform, and stepping stones, existing elements like a gazebo, a crane sculpture, and topiary were incorporated into the Japanese garden. Predominantly Japanese plants were planted on the earth mound to represent Japanese landscapes and their spirit.

Location:  Wimbledon, London

Completion:  May 2024

Design Team:  Haruko Seki, Aoi Hanada

Pond Construction:  Aquascapes Water Garden Specialists

Landscape Construction: The almanac garden 

Photographs: Aoi Hanada

The clients wanted to create a space in their front garden that contribute to wildlife especially for bees. A small pond is designed to fulfil multiple purposes, such as serving as a habitat for bees, providing a space for the retreatment of sick Koi fishes and offering a sanctuary for water lilies. Particularly focusing on beekeeping, we aim to create an environment enhancing the ecosystem to support bees’ activities and enrich the environmental quality.

Japanese feature was added on the north corner after the clients travelled around Japan, that was unique arrangement with wildlife garden.

Location: Golders Green, London NW2

Completion: July 2023

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Tomonaga Kosaku

Construction: Bruca Gardens, Isaacs Landscaping

The clients are French and Malaysian-Chinese married couple who wanted to have a garden with Japanese touch in their new property but keeping the space as natural as possible.

There are so many mature trees and bamboos remaining in the garden, therefore we started cutting back overgrown bamboos and tree branches. While retaining wild atmosphere this garden originally has, we intended to create special feature around the Irish moss lawn by adding Acers, feature stones and lantern.

A winding stone path leads people to the bottom space of the garden, which is open and clean void with silver zen gravels that allow them being unwind away from daily lives. The gravels are sustained by stabilisation grid, therefore the space can also be used for play area for their kid and dog running around.

Location: 22 Wyvil Road London SW8

The Client: G Parmigiani Figlio Ltd

Completion: December 2023

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Steven Kingsley (Concept Landscape Architects), Tomonaga Kosaku

Collaboration: Harvey Langston-Jones (Architect)

Construction: Aquascape Water Garden Specialists Ltd

The entrance lobby of the new residential building at Nine Elms, a thriving development area in central London, features an elaborately designed inner garden—a contemplative space composed of stone elements set amidst constantly flowing water.

Conceived as a Zen Garden, this intentional design aims to offer individuals a transcendent moment, fostering inspiration and a profound connection to the enduring sense of eternity.

This is what the client said after a year of completion;

‘The biggest thrill for me has been to see how the Sun’s rays at different times of the year, and in different ways, literally takes possession of the feature, wraps itself around it, and turns it into a living breathing thing.

The interaction between nature and the human construct which is our feature creates magical encounters between ‘man’ and nature. Its as if the feature enhances the power of nature within what otherwise is an urban environment (the city) which tends to dull the full drama of nature.

 The other aspect highlighted by the interaction of ‘man’ made feature and the intervention of Sun rays is the very fleeting nature of existence. If I hadn’t happened to enter the garden the other day when I did, I would be unaware of the sublime effects of the rays on the feature. Who is to say that our existence isn’t full of just such moments of clarity and inspiration. I’d like to think that that a ‘man-made’ construct such as your feature can intensify an experience of nature.’

Location: Nine Elms, London SW8

The Client: G Parmigiani Figlio Ltd

Completion: August 2023

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Tomonaga Kosaku

Construction: KUROPATWA GROUP, The Almanac Garden

The rear courtyard of the newly constructed residential building in Nine Elms, a burgeoning development area in central London, has been meticulously created as an urban oasis. It aims to provide residents with a harmonious connection to nature, allowing them to relish the cyclical beauty of the changing seasons.

The garden seamlessly extends the essence of a stone Zen garden within the edifice. Characterized by sinuous lines, distinctive feature stones, and indigenous Japanese flora, the left portion of the courtyard epitomizes this aesthetic. In contrast, the right segment embraces an English garden scheme. Despite their apparent divergence, both sections organically interconnect, gracefully unifies two disparate cultural influences.

Location: Kensington, London W2

Completion: July 2023

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Tomonaga Kosaku

Construction: Bruca Gardens

The clients are Malaysian married couple who wanted to have a garden with Japanese touch in their newly refurbished modern house.

We intended to create a garden just like ‘Tsubo-niwa’ in old town house in Kyoto, where small space is beneficial to connect people to the nature, bring in light and shadow that are produced by the trees and breezing sound of bamboos. A water feature called ‘Tsukubai’ provides constant flow of water by spout made of bamboo cane. Waiting to see Irish moss to be spread over and forming lawn that will be a green carpet all year round, where young couple and small kids enjoy basking in the sun.

Location: Westminster, London

Completion: August 2016

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Saori Imoto

Construction:

Landway Construction Ltd,  Living Colour Gardens Ltd

This private garden is built on the roof of a basement extension of a house near Buckingham Palace. The clients are an English couple who have spent many years in Japan and who wanted to have a real sense of a Japanese garden in their home in London.
The stepping stones and feature stones were selected in Japan and shipped to the UK. The aluminous cast pergola was also imported from Japan, the light weight of which was made it ideal for the tight specifications demanded by the roof garden.

Suppliers:

Kosaka Shoten(Stones) 

Takasho Ltd (Alminium Cast Pergola)

Chelsea Artisan Fusion Glass Ltd (Glass Panel)

CED Ltd (Gravel)

Europlants (Trees & Shrubs)

Triangle Nursery (Moss)

Location: Knightsbridge, London

Completion: May 2009
Garden Design: Haruko Seki
Project Staff: Masako Furuhata
Construction: Clifton Nurseries Ltd
Photographs: From top No.1, 2, 3, 4 (Helen Fickling)
No.5, 6, 7, 8 (Haruko Seki) 

The clients are married English couple who used to live in Japan and wanted to have Modern Japanese Modern Tea
Garden at the 1st floor terrace in their newly refurbished
house. The stone lanterns and water basin were bought by the clients in Japan five years ago, waiting to be seen in their garden.

Surrounded by the tall white wall, this garden is in a ideal location to create a tranquillity that represents the quality we find at the tea garden in Japan.

Location: Little Venice, London, UK
Completion: May 2011
Garden Design: Haruko Seki
Construction: Rod Payne (Hard Landscape), Merlin Massara (Soft Landscape)
Photographs: Haruko Seki

The clients are English-Japanese married couple who wanted to have a touch of Japanese in their rear garden.

The garden has 3 separate areas on different levels, therefore we created three different characters and functions in each spaces. The lower level has been transformed by a wooden deck, similar to “Engawa (縁側)” =an outside corridor that we can see in traditional houses in Japan. Middle level has been made into a modern Japanese garden with water feature and gravel. The upper space has been created as an “outdoor room” so that the clients can dine and work as well as relax overlooking the garden.

Location: Kingston Upon Thames , UK

Completion: December 2012

Garden Design: Haruko Seki

Construction: Living Colour Gardens Ltd

The garden is located in a private estate that is adjacent to a large water Japanese garden. Therefore the clients wanted to create a private garden with a touch of Japanese, and matching to their property that has oriental style.

Because of the restriction of the estate, existing structure, hard landscape, major trees were retained, but aiming to create a sense of space by setting feature stones, specimen trees and laying gravels as dry water.

Location: Hampstead, London

Completion: August 2015

Design Team:

Haruko Seki, Saori Goke

Construction:

Hard Landscape: Quintas Homes Ltd

Soft Landscape: Saori Imoto,　Daniel Cunningham,  Cordula Schmandt, Saori Goke

Plants Supply: Tendercare Nurseries

The clients are Indian married couple who have decided to settle down in the UK and build their family home in Hampstead. Whole house and garden are demolished and rebuilt, as a result 4/5 of the garden is built on the roof where they have swimming pool underneath.

The natural rain pond has been created in front of garden studio, where the clients can enjoy plants that live waterside. In this way nature has been recreated in the garden, introducing birds and insects from rich natural environment of Hampstead.

Location: Ealing, London
Completion: April 2011
Project Coordinate & Interior Design for Main House: NSDA
Garden Design: Haruko Seki (Studio Lasso Ltd)
Project Staff of Studio Lasso: Emiko Yamaguchi
Construction: Clifton Nurseries (garden) / ANBM (main house & garden studio)

The clients are Japanese married couple who wanted to
transform the rear & front gardens to a contemporary style.
The former vegetable garden at the bottom of the garden has been recreated as a sports area as well as the garden shed has been refurbished as a gymnasium.
The acrylic panels divide the area between the garden, and artificial turf was applied for the ground for sports area. Shade Sale was installed onto the existing pergola so that the clients can take a rest during the exercise.

Location: Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Client: Niigata Seiryo University

Completion: March 2017

Landscape Design:

Masterplan by Kajima Co.,Ltd & Studio Lasso Ltd,  

Hard Landscape by Kajima Co., Ltd

Soft Landscape by Studio Lasso Ltd

Studio Lasso Design Team: Haruko Seki, Saori Imoto, Saori Goke

Construction: Green Sangyo Co.,Ltd

Tree Supplier: Ishikawa Ryokujyu Co., Ltd

Photographs: Haruko Seki

The campus landscape adjacent to the new building of Seiryo University has been designed to create an intimate space where students and the local community can take a breath. The planting scheme reflects the natural scenery unique to Niigata City, and 'Inada Mikage,' the local granite stone, was selected for the terrace area.

Location: Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Client: Niigata Seiryo University

Completion: March 2017

Landscape Design:

Masterplan by Kajima Co.,Ltd & Studio Lasso Ltd 

Hard Landscaping by Kajima Co., Ltd

Soft Landscaping by Studio Lasso Ltd

Landscape Designer: Haruko Seki

Construction: Green Sangyo Co.,Ltd

Tree Supplier: Ishikawa Ryokujyu Co., Ltd

Photographs: Haruko Seki

In the redevelopment of the campus landscape, which involves the reconstruction of large buildings, a major challenge was how to preserve the mature trees that are valuable assets to both the university and the local community.

As a result of long discussions with the client and the contractor, seven large cherry trees that had been planted along the western boundary of the campus were preserved. They were enhanced by creating a 'Cherry Blossom Viewing Terrace,' and the boundary was redesigned so that the cherry blossoms would be visible from the road, allowing the local community to enjoy them. The area adjacent to the library was designed to provide an evergreen and serene atmosphere all year round.

Location: Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Client: Niigata Seiryo University

Completion: April 2022

Landscape Design:

Masterplan by Kajima Co.,Ltd & Studio Lasso Ltd 

Hard Landscaping by Kajima Co., Ltd

Soft Landscaping by Studio Lasso Ltd

Landscape Designer: Haruko Seki

Construction: Green Sangyo Co.,Ltd

Tree Supplier: Ishikawa Ryokujyu Co., Ltd

Photographs: Haruko Seki

The final phase of the campus landscape was completed just before the former president's school memorial service.

The large lawn plaza in front of the new Building No. 1 provides a place for students to gather and being unwind. The wisteria pergola, which was preserved and restored from the entrance of the old Building No. 1, along with the valuable black pines and crape myrtles remaining on campus, were also preserved.

The row of Katsura trees planted facing the building symbolize a wish for students to pursue their paths with high aspirations, as the trees stand tall towards the sky. This embodies the life of the university's founder, Shoichi Seki, and a commemorative mature Katsura tree was planted in his honor.

Location: Niigata City, Niigata Pref., Japan
Completion: October 2010
The Client: Niigata Seiryo University
Landscape Design: Studio Lasso Ltd
Design Team: Haruko Seki, Sayaka Takeuchi
Construction: Green Sangyo Ltd
Coordinator: Kajima Corporation Hokuriku Branch
Photographs: From Top 1, 2, 3, 4, 7: Kiyotaka Ohashi
No.5,6: Haruko Seki
The Niigata Seiryo University is located near the Japan Sea coast, therefore the campus are embraced by pine wood land and courtyard garden includes the pine woods too.
The College has been set up 100 years ago for the education of women, and its spirit of independent and professionalism has been taken over to a day.
The courtyard is surrounded by the several buildings that are added one by one, but the space was not in use and forbidden to enter.
n the unique natural environment of pine woods, the courtyard garden in the campus was designed to be a space where all the students get together and stimulate to create various activities. The form of structure and the materials were decided so that the shadow of pines reflects softly and enhance their beauty.

'Context sensitive landscape and garden design in Japan'- A reviewed by Tom Turner

Location: Niigata prefecture, Japan

Client: Niigata Seiryo Gakuen Kindergarten

Completion: September 2015

Landscape Design:

Masterplan by Kajima Co.,Ltd & Studio Lasso Ltd,  

Hard Landscape by Kajima Co., Ltd

Soft Landscape by Studio Lasso Ltd

Studio Lasso Design Team: Haruko Seki, Saori Goke

Construction: Green Sangyo Co.,Ltd

Photographs: Haruko Seki

The president of Niigata Seiryo University to which KIndergardten belongs wanted to create a 'Kindergarten in a Forest' as the principle of Steiner method has been applied in their policy.

The Seiryo Kindergarten is located in the pine tree woodland in the coast line of Japan sea, that is designated as conservation area by Niigata City. Therefore, the landscape design of the kindergarten was planned so that children are learning from nature rather than from artificial play equipment, on that purpose the existing pine trees were preserved as much as possible.

The concept design of new building of Seiryo Kindergarten was made by Mrs Kayoko Otsuki, an achitect of BAKOKO, who studied at AA School in London.

Bakoko was invited to give insight and fresh idea collaborating with Kajima Co.,Ltd who was in charge of construction of the building. Also Studio Lasso was invited to join the project to design soft landscape and play a role to integrate landscape and architecture.

Location: Blackheath, London

Completion: May 2014

Garden Studio Design: Haruko Seki

Construction: Brunel Bannister, Leo Yamanaka, Daniel Cunningham, Saori Imoto, Saori Goke

Photographs: Haruko Seki

A Garden Studio was built in the communal garden where the owner shares the space with 3 other owners. The building was previously built in private garden in Watford and it was removed, redesign and rebuilt in Blackheath.

The communal garden has been improved little by little and the surrounding space of Garden Studio is still on going project.

Location: Blackheath, London
Completion: June 2008
Garden Design: Haruko Seki
Construction: Yuji Yamane
Photographs: Haruko Seki

The seating and relaxing area surrounded by trees and
shrubs has been created in the communal rear garden shared by 4
flats in Blackheath, London.

The centralised space with semi-circle benches offer gathering with family or friends, having BBQ party, or simply relaxing in a shade of trees. Wisterias and Cericises provides white flowers in spring with fragrance.

Location: Primrose Hill, London
Completion: June 2008
Garden Design: Haruko Seki
Project Staff: Tamae Rykers
Landscaper: Yuji Yamane
Photographs: Haruko Seki

The client are American married couple who wanted to add some aesthetic value to the garden after completion of hard landscaping. Planting design has been proposed together with colour scheme of
the walls and Improvement of fencing.

The outdoor living room has been created with fire place and garden furniture, brightened by the coloured wall that divide outdoor living room and the play ground for small kids.

Location:  Sashima, Ehime prefecture, Japan

Completion:  September 2015

Garden Design:  Haruko Seki

Construction: Yanagiya Nursery & Construction

Plants and stone supply:  Watanabe Nursery

Photograph : Hagme Shimatani (Top Photo),  Eiichi Kuroda (No.2, No.4 & No.5),  Nobuko Nishimura (No.3 & No.6),  Haruko Seki (No.7, No.8 & No.9)

Shiomi House Island Village Hostel, old style Japanese house has been regenerated and open in April 2016 in Sashima, a small island in Setonaikai-Sea in Japan. 
We created a garden for the guest house by transplanted trees that are commonly found in woodland in Japan. We try to create a scenery that the former owner used to love, who emigrated to US and came back to the place once in a while, who deeply loved Japanese culture and contributed to the cultural exchange between US and Japan.
The garden was created as a homage to him, Robert Shiomi, a grand uncle of the designer Haruko Seki.

Shiomi House Island Village Hostel

Location: Asagaya-Minami, Tokyo
Completion: May 2010
Exterior Space Design: Haruko Seki
Construction: Sumitomo Ringyo Ryokka Co.,Ltd
Photographs: Haruko Seki

The clients wanted to have a touch of nature in their new
house & gardens, where each houses are closely built in
super high density urban environment in Tokyo.

Acer and a line of bamboos play a major role introducing nature into the house, a movement of light and shadow in not only sunny day but also enhance natural energy in the rain and in a windy day.

The acrylic panels are combined with wooden fences to
reduce the solid quality of wall structure around the house
and expand the space visually with the effect of light.

Location: Tomatsu Bridal Fashion, Niigata, Japan
Completion: November 2011
The Client: Tomatsu Bridal Fashion Co., Ltd. 
Entrance Renewal Design: Haruko Seki
Japanese Craft Paper: WASHIYA
Art Glass: Yumeno-mori Kobo
Construction: Hojuen Co.,Ltd. (Planting)
L-Kenchiku  +Yu Kato +Junko Yumoto (Installation of Japanese Craft Paper)

At the entrance renewal for the Tomatsu Bridal Fashion who offer rental wedding dresses and formal dresses for the various ceremonies in Japan, we intended to express a warm greetings in Japanese way of life.
We use Japanese craft paper at the large show windows, which was handmade by Japanese artisan with the tradition of 1, 500 years in Fukui prefecture. The art glass was also made by carefully crashed and reformed by hand.
Nishiki-gi (Euonymus alatus) was chosen as a symbol tree, as it is said that men used to present Nishikigi to women until their proposals were accepted. It provides brilliant red colour in autumn and celebrate the happiest moment of their lives.

Location: Niigata Prefecture, Japan

Client: Niigata Japanese-German Association

Completion: April 2019

Monumental Design: Michihei Kurihara

Landscape Design: Haruko Seki (Studio Lasso)

Construction: Green Sangyo Co.,Ltd (Soft Landscaping),

Suppliers: Ishikawa Ryokujyu Co., Ltd (Trees), Stone + (Feature Stone), Metal Fence (Takasho)

Photographs: Haruko Seki

To convey to future generations the history of the German Consulate that was established in this area during the Meiji era, we aimed to create a symbolic space representing the interaction between Germany and Japan. This space is not merely a place to install a monument; it has been designed as a pocket park where citizens can enjoy the seasonal colors provided by climbing roses, maple trees etc. and take a moment to relax in the shade.

Drawing on the historical fact that the German Consulate in Niigata was housed in a traditional Japanese residence, we created a harmonious blend of Western and Japanese elements by combining a stone monument, inspired by an obelisk, with Japanese originated stone and plants.

Location: Ealing, London

Completion: September 2016

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Saori Imoto

Construction: Bruca Gardens Ltd (Soft Landscape)

Plants Suppliers: Euro Plants Ltd, Tendercare Nurseries Ltd

Photographs: Tomomi Hosono

Our client wished to have a Japanese touch to the design of the front garden of their new home in Ealing. Studio Lasso provided several designs and a modern Japanese style garden was chosen. An Acer was chosen as the central focal point to remind our client of one which is planted in their former home. Acer japonicum has been complimented by Bamboos, Cameria, Pieris and Euonymus which are common species in Japan. As ground cover, Irish moss was chosen having a similar texture with the moss we see in Japanese gardens, but suited to the climate of London. Black basalt slabs and black cobbles create good contrast to the fine texture of this planting scheme and the remainder of the space was balanced with white limestone chippings.

Location: Blackheath, London
Completion: May 2006
Garden Design: Haruko Seki
Photographs: Haruko Seki

The Client is an Japanese artist and wanted to have a
space that can deep breath outside the studio.

The main design element is a bamboo planted in a pot that provide subtle movement by catching the energy of the wind and projecting shadow onto the ground. The small water basin catch the rainfall and it offers drinking basin to birds who come to the communal garden.

Location: KIngs Langley, UK

Submission of Concept Design: October 2008

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Kazunori Inomata

RES is one of the world's leading energy company who wanted to create Japanese touched courtyard in their head office in Kings Langley, UK.

Studio Lasso was in charge of concept development and delivered sketch designs considering the company policy and to create a space where all the staff and visitors can deep breath and embrace a peace frame of minds.

Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Competition Submition Date: February 2014
The Client: The City of Birmingham
Project Team: Alastair Townsend (Architect, BAKOKO), Kayoko Otsuki(Architect, BAKOKO), Haruko Seki(Landscape Architect, STUDIO LASSO)

Concept of Landscape Design: Harmony of History and Future
 
The concept of 'Ying and Yang' describes how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary and interconnected in the natural world. The figure of Ying and Yang represents a generation model of the universe.
Applying the 'Ying and Yang' concept, we envision Centenary Square to be a place where hard and soft landscape, history and future are balanced and transformed by their positive interaction.
In this scheme the square can be divided into three zones: Zone 1 is a void, which can be transformed into central event space utilising existing void of the library by covering transparent material that can walk on. People can gather around the stage and relax, picnic on the grass as they like. Zone 2 is a historical zone that has the Hall of Memory in the middle, which represents a strong sense of continuity of City of Birmingham’s history. The visitors have the opportunity to take a rest under the tree canopies. Zone 3 is a futuristic space, where people can enjoy various events, a water feature and ice-skating in the winter time. A cascade on the skywalk relates to the city’s memories of canals.

Location: Ureki Lake, Georgia
Schematic Design Submission: December 2010
Design Consultant: Studio Lasso Ltd
Design Team :Haruko Seki (Studio Lasso),
(in alphabetic order): Gen Tamada (protoform), Hideyuki Nakatsu (Site-Works Institute of Landscape Architecture), Kazunori Inomata (GDI), Kohshi Takahata (National Institute for Environmental Studies), Manabu Horioka (Horioka Architecture Laboratory ), Paul-Mark Vincent, Sayaka Takeuchi,

The clients were the owner of private land on the east coast of Black Sea in Georgia, including the lake of 14 hectare.
They wanted to improve the landscape of the Ureki Lake and
connection to their private houses near the coast.
The presentations includes improvement of access + linking,
landscape improvement addressing to the ecological issues.
Additionally the possibility of access by electric car was presented
on the clients’ request.

Location: Niigata City, Niigata Pref., Japan

Client: Niigata Seiryo University

Schematic Design & Masterplan Submission: December 2013

Design Team: Haruko Seki, Saori Goke

The Seiryo University is located in the pine tree woodland in the coast line of Japan sea, that is designated as conservation area by Niigata City. Therefore, the landscape design of the new campus after removal and rebuild of kindergarten, No.1 & No.2 building was intended to retain existing pine trees as much as possible, that are valuable in this area.
The initial design was intended to create ecological corridor combining the pine woodland in front of no.6 building through to the east entrance, that connects woodland in the Japan sea coast behind the campus and the forest of shrine that is extended to the east side of the university.

Location: Kessenuma City, Miyagi-Pref., Japan
The Client: Kesennuma City
Schematic Design Submission: February 2012
Design Team: Haruko Seki, Saori Goke, Chie Komai, Aya Kunita

Kesennuma City, which was hit by Tunami and was entirely destroyed in March 2011 developed their regeneration plan and made press release to the citizens in October 2011. However, the plan was not accepted by the citizens as it’s major defence against future risk of Tsunami was constructing high sea walls throughout the coast line, which may disconnect people and the sea, make it difficult for them to continue fishery in the end.
In this situation open competition was released in Japan and overseas in December 2011. Studio Lasso joined the competition to introduce a kind of solution, looking back our original attitude towards nature in old age of Japan. We use to have more respectable attitude towards nature and live associated with it. Also we tried to combine latest technology together with the unique wisdom of our culture.
We proposed five stages of defence against Tusnami instead of the defence of having one solid and high concrete sea wall –1. Floating sea walls placing offshore,  2. Floating islands at the entrance of Kesennuma Bay,  3. Timber structures like jetty at the shore,  4. Kasumi-tei (Embankment with gaps to let the water escape),  5. Retardings behind the embankment, that work as green spaces with underground drain that let the water escape from built environment.

Location: Niigata City, Niigata-pref, Japan
Concept Design Sibmission: March 2011
The Client: Meiwa Sunpia Co.,Ltd
Project Team: Haruko Seki, Sayaka Takeuchi, Miwako Takahashi

The facilities are located near Japan sea coast, close to the
Kakuta-mountain and Sagata-lake, in a excellent environment as
a suburb of Niigata City.
Meiwa Sunpia was renewal open in 2010 as sports and leisure centre, adding the value of regional culture.
The landscape design was required for the major facilities by the
client, and prior to the development of the detailed area, the main concept of the whole site was presented based on the original landscape of Niigata, and blending global notion from Scandinavian Myth in order to create imaginative and sophisticate landscape where the community will be get involved to create forest for the future.

Location: Dunhang, China
Schematic Design Submission: November 2006
Design Consultant: Studio Lasso Ltd
Project Team: Haruko Seki (Studio Lasso), Makoto Saito (Intertrive Creators’ Network), David Buck Landscape Architects, Makoto Noborisaka (JCLF), Junko Ichino (Waichi Ltd)

As a part of investment projects for the Silk Road 21C, we were invited by the clients, the investors to submit the conceptual design for the model area of  ‘Dunhuang Japanese Villa’.
There are several design motives that inspired us during the site visit in Dunhuang –a beautiful landscape of “Crescent Spring”, Mingsha Mountain, Flying Apsaras in the caves. On the returning to Japan, we also closely look at the beauty of landscape in Nara, which is the East-end of the Silk Road and had enormous cultural influence at that time.  
We have imported technology from Western culture, as a result we lost our original landscape and spirituality. Dunhuang village will be a place we Japanese can re-discover ourselves and enrich our culture, contacting with their high-spirit and beautiful landscape that is remaining from olden time.

Location: Harumi, Toyosu, Ariake-Kita, Tokyo
Schematic Design Submission: June 2001
Schematic Design: Haruko Seki

The aim of this project was to create “A Forest City” in Harumi/ Toyosu/ Ariake-kita, a last frontier of Tokyo as a counter- proposal to the plan drawn by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 
Intend to restore the original spatial quality once we had as an original culture, and which has been lost in recent rapid developments; such as void, sense of depth, soft boundaries, de-centralization in relation to time, space and memory. In this context, our intention was to design out any negative aspects such as ; darkness, incompleteness, co-existence with evilness.
The concept board for the masterplan (figure 26) indicate the turning-over negative-positive space in Tokyo Bay, which revealed that the city has been developed with fractal characteristics. The town will grow on its own when it is given an algorism, like a neural-system of the brain, and the city will be connected and works like a body system in the future. 

Location: Kent, UK
Landscape Installation: November, 2001
Installation Design: Haruko Seki
Photograph: Haruko Seki

This it the art installation project held in the woodland in Kent
in 2001. A hundred of candles made by tracing paper were
hung in the branches, which visualise the energy of the air.
The concept is a ‘ceremonial landscapes’ that were
repeated again and again in a history in Japan, which is still
exist in our memory when we listen to the voice of
mass sub-conscious.

Location: Dubai Road, Dubai
Design Submission: December 2005
Designer: Haruko Seki (Studio Lasso) 
(* 3D images were drawn up by 3D designer of Broadway Malyan )

Having took part in the design team of Broadway Malyan, Studio Lasso designed the landmark feature for the international competition of Dubai road in December 2005.
The landmark monument was designed from the symbole of international conference that was held in Dubai. The elements of cloud shape are kinetic and reflects the wind and sun shine.