Japanese Gardens are quintessential ‘Architectural Promenades.” Every step through the garden is calculated to control when and how you see what the designer wants you to see. In some places you HAVE to look down or you might step into the water. When you look up there is something magnificent to see and is best seen from the bottom up.
Even in the hills surrounding Rome, great villas were built to the East of the city to prepare for the drama of returning Emperors. When the sun was low and the light just right, Emperors would begin their glorious march down the golden hillside through the dramatically lit triumphal arch with the blazing golden Tuscan sun shimmering off their freshly polished armor. What a scene it must have been.
Classic ‘Architectural Promenade’ entices and delivers, teases, and delivers, promises and delivers. Although nothing is actually moving in the house, you are pulled through it with ‘visual carrots’ that keep the eyes and body moving.
Let me give you an example of what’s referred to as an “Architectural Promenade’. I recently completed a new residence in Marblehead. The lot is deep but very narrow. The ‘Promenade’ begins while driving down the street. All the houses are set back about the same distance and there are no fences, hedges or walls along the sidewalks. We replicated this with our house to ‘complete’ the streetscape.
As you turn into the driveway, the garage is on the right and turned to keep the garage doors off the street. Above the garage is the guest suite so the building doesn’t look like a garage, more like a small gambrel roofed home. At the end of the driveway you see the main building of the home and under a deep roof overhang is a gorgeous hand varnished mahogany door with a brilliantly polished handle. Just to the left of the door is a bay window that frames a view of the stone fireplace and casual seating area.
The promenade is so intense you HAVE to touch this handle, push open this heavy door and see what’s inside. This is architecture in motion. The expectations are set, glimpses of what’s to come have peaked your interest and you have to go in and experience the space.
Upon entering the front door you see the entire family living and entertainment area and the kitchen to the left. Just as you stop to enjoy the view you notice that more ‘teasers’ are in place. There are French doors on the other side of the family area that lead to the trellised sundeck and garden beyond. You can’t quite see all of the deck and garden but enough to make you want to see more. Behind the kitchen area and through a large heavily cased opening is a dining area.
Look around you own home. Where are there design teasers? How can you heighten the sense of anticipation for your guests? If it’s not exactly what you want it to be, consider….
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- Adding some flower beds to the front of the house
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- Changing the front door
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- Installing the most expensive handle you can afford
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- Putting some low level garden lighting along the walk way
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- A new and interesting doorknocker
These small things will heighten your guests’ sense of ‘Architectural Promenade’ and put in motion the architecture of your home.
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