Situated on an ecological reserve 100 miles from Mexico City, The Ruins was designed with water and stone to look as ancient as Moray, and to be just as functional. In the rainy season, the round pool garden fills up, acting as a cistern for the rural collective based there. As it drains, lower water gardens are revealed, with their own beauty. It can be used for swimming at every stage; the lowest one just involves a bit more climbing. “Like ripples, the lake features circular paths that slowly emerge during the dry season,” says Estudio Ome. They wanted to examine how good a landscape could look, post-evaporation.
Hidden in a cloud forest 7,000 feet above sea level, The Ruins is part of an ecological reserve, Reserva Peñitas, which has water autonomy across the site and in this particular garden. Although the land is not irrigated, the soil is richer because the planting is regenerative: berrying shrubs and fruiting trees help to nourish the soil, promoting the growth of further water-storing vegetation. Blueberries are natural companion plants to Andean alder, both preferring slightly acidic soil. Biodiversity is increased with native and migratory birds using the site.
The circular water garden is overlooked by another circle, a semicircular house completed with a semicircular terrace. The rounded walls and paths between the house and pool garden were placed carefully with hand-cut stone, giving an impression of antiquity and encouraging their cracks and crevices to be inhabited by flora and fauna. The effect would be like finding a ruin-garden in the forest.
“Today’s gardens and green spaces are at the vanguard of positive change, modern-day crucibles for ideas and innovation,” writes Lottie. “At last, gardens are being championed for what they can do—reverse the biodiversity crisis, save water, prevent drought…” the long list continues. Chapters are titled Repair, Empower, Nourish, Heal and Reimagine.
Gardens That Can Save the World by Lottie Delamain is published on April 14 in the US by Thames & Hudson.
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