Isla Vista, CA
At the Hillel student center, we sought to incorporate symbols from Judaism with the Mediterranean landscape of Israel. The result is a garden that is resonant with meaning.
A Star of David fountain gurgles amid cedars of Lebanon, almond trees and olive trees, all unified by stone that is the same color of that in Jerusalem.
As with all of our projects, there is an undercurrent of sustainability, including low water use California natives as well as yarrow planted as a lawn substitute.
The design encourages a variety of uses, from a dance circle to gathering places designed for large groups or private, intimate meetings for two.
Just as the mission of Hillel is tied to the past and looks to the future, we wanted the landscape to do the same, from its age-old symbols to its forward-thinking design.
