The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Japanese Garden

Click on image titles for larger views.

Japanese Garden (autumn), Georgian Court University

Japanese Garden (winter), Georgian Court University

Japanese Garden (spring), Georgian Court University

Japanese Garden (bridge and walkway), Georgian Court University

Institution Name: Georgian Court University
Original/Historic Place Name: Japanese Garden
Location on Campus: west of Italian Gardens
Date(s) of Construction:

1909-1910

original construction Shiota, Takeo

Designer: Takeo Shiota
Type of Place: Landscape site
Style: (Glossary)
Significance: landscape
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Function:

1910-present (2006)

outdoor space

Narrative:
The Japanese Garden is a one acre area west of the Italian Gardens. A curving path leads to a small wooden footbridge that crosses a dry-stone stream. A genuine Sukiya (teahouse) with a low-pitched roof sits among Japanese maples and flowering rhododendrons. Takeo Shiota designed an authentic "Chaniwa" (tea garden), a series of little hills planted with effectively grouped low trees and shrubbery. Stone lanterns stand on the pebble-cemented banks. East and West meet at the garden border, where Japanese cherry trees and Jersey pines mingle.

References:

Geis, M. Christina. Georgian Court. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1978.

Geis, M. Christina. Georgian Court: An Estate of the Guilded Age. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Art Alliance Press, 1983.

H2L2, LLP. Campus Master Plan [Georgian Court University]. [Philadelphia: H2L2], April 2003.