Industrial Oasis
Harland Hand [1922-1998], inspired by the principles of fine art and rock formations in the High Sierra, designed this hillside garden with breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay.
Using concrete, curving lines and dramatic color combinations, Hand created an emotionally evocative space that houses an extraordinary plant collection.
In an industrial area of Berkeley, Hand designed a garden on a flat lot. Conceived as a place for workers at a virology laboratory to enjoy a lunchtime rest, the garden housed the iris collection of virologists David and Evelyne Lennette. Now under new ownership, the garden remains a jewel box.
Courtesy Pamela Harper
Courtesy Pamela Harper
After 10 years of enjoying the garden, David and Evelyne Lennette sold the Industrial Oasis in order to acquire a cloud forest property in Costa Rica. They established Nectandra Institute, a publicly-supported educational organization, to promote the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of the montane cloud forest.
Pictures with black frames courtesy Ted Kipping
