Magical Urbanism, a website about urbanization, design and social change, is maintained by Mike Ernst. I'm an urban planner and designer based in New York City. I graduated from the The Garden of 10,000 Bridges
West 8 designed the Garden of 10,000 Bridges as part of the International Horticultural Exhibition in Xi’an, China. The garden runs like a labyrinth, meandering in and out of tall vegetation, punctuated by footbridges, emerging to present views of the surrounding area.
As both a distinct sense of enclosure and vantage points are provided, the Garden plays with the sensation of surprise. In the design advantage is taken of the strategic, central position of the plot, and views to other parts of the exhibition are integrated with those to the features of the park and surrounding landscape.
Gardens tell a story. They combine poetry and narrative. Our garden represents the human life; the path of people’s lifetime, which is a route of uncertainty and burden, but also of highlights and elation.
The garden design takes you on this walk of life as a meandering, winding trail – continuous and like a labyrinth. It lets you find your way through nature and takes you over 10,000 bridges.
I’m not sure if this design would fly in the United States – mostly because of accessibility concerns – but the concept is great.
Link to the designer’s website via Landzine
LOOKS REALLY NICE, WOULD LOVE TO GO IN PERSON.
Looks LOVELY :)