Site Plan
The mid-block backyard abuts two residential backyards and, on the other side of a small alley, the parking lot of a big box store. During temperate weather, the monks hoped to open up the ground-floor meditation hall to the outside, and also hold meetings and events in the yard. Along with the smooth, weathered wooden plank deck, a large lawn is reinforced for foot traffic and sitting for long periods. The trickle of water from the Knot-shaped waterfall into the Vajra-shaped pool, along with the crunch of feet on the pebble threshold and the rustling of the neighbor's wild cherry trees help mitigate distractions from the nearby parking lot. Inspired by the steep mountains of the Himalayas, a terraced perennial garden lines the northern wall, and a shade garden lies against the southern wall. A small fig tree is planted to the East, evoking the Bodhi tree of enlightenment.