In the first semester of the studio, students went on frequent site visits to The Huntington’s multiple themed gardens with James Folsom, Botanical Director (retired), and leaders from Ball-Nogues Studio.

On visiting the Japanese Garden, the class was inspired by Japanese Ikebana floral arrangements, leading to their study of new fabrication techniques and materials to re-create the art and beauty of Ikebana in a large scale bridge design, under the instruction and guidance of Ball-Nogues Studio.

During the studio’s second semester, students studied the circulation of the Japanese Garden. The discovery of circulation patterns led students to transform the initial bridge proposal into a pathway that would offer a new perspective for viewing the surrounding landscape.