treelined coastal landscape with houses, ocean, beach, hills

British Virgin Islands Residence

A Japanese-style garden using native plants, naturalistic water features, and meandering paths and bridges in the British Virgin Islands. Designed for wandering contemplation and rest.

Location: Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Size: 1.5 acres
Year: 2014

This marriage of Japanese aesthetics and British Virgin Island plants creates an extensive landscape for a private residence on Virgin Gorda.

Kurisu's own specialized team worked with local crews onsite to create a complete Japanese-style outdoor living environment including waterfalls, pathways, zen-style rock gardens, private courtyard gardens and entry features. Rather than use exotic palms and other impressive plant specimens typical of the area’s resort landscapes, Kurisu selected native and tropical plants to imbue a quieter, more humble sense of nature. In this challenging project, Kurisu's design intent was to create a garden seamlessly integrating the architecture and varied living spaces with the surrounding native vegetation and highlight the natural elements of light, sound and the Caribbean Sea.

wooden structure, path, and trees at British Virgin Island residence

This design eschews the typical look and feel of nearby luxury properties and instead harmonizes with the native landscape. Humility, respect for place, and a focus on natural elements underly every aspect of the design.

The pavilion functions as an outdoor foyer where both a formal sheet granite water feature and more naturalistic waterfall greet the visitor, signaling both a transition and harmony between architecture and landscape.

porch view of water with trees and rocks at British Virgin Island residence

Bridges connect the land and water, creating pathways that move through the landscape. They are made for meandering, encouraging the wanderer to slow down, pay close attention to natural elements, and to focus on the journey as well as the destination.

view of path from doorway at British Virgin Island residence

bathroom with view of waterfall at British Virgin Island residence

Cut from the mountain side itself, the master bedroom waterfall and pond offer the opportunity to contemplate what springs from nature and the harmony that flows from it.

path and porch at British Virgin Island residence

path with bridge and view of water and hills in distance

Pathways wind around the property, creating connections between houses, an orchard, children's play area and the beach. Designed with naturalistic intention, these paths are as much a part of the lived experience here as the architecture.

room with view at British Virgin Island residence

bridge over water with ocean view at British Virgin Island residence

The zero-edge swimming pool quietly melds the surface of the pool with the ocean beyond. This design intentionally forgoes the typical overflow of pool water towards the ocean - symbolically reversing the flow from human/outward to an invitation of nature/inward into the living space.

room with open door with view of water and sky at British Virgin Island residence

deck with view of ocean at British Virgin Island residence

deck with view of water and rocks at British Virgin Island residence

Fire, the most fundamental element, is also incorporated into this waterscape to encourage mental activity and elemental richness.

Healing Gardens

Our Japanese-style healing gardens are designed with an intention for restoration on the deepest levels. We incorporate the ancient philosophies and techniques of Japanese garden design to reawaken the connection between people and nature – between ourselves and the larger, timeless cycles of change and regeneration.