After a series of unanswered calls were able establish contact with the housekeeper via fax machine at Ohenitahi, The Garden of Sir Miles Warren, in Governors Bay, just outside of Christchurch. After a dramatic climb up and over the hills that surround Christchurch, we descended to just above sea level and to the entrance of this architects home and garden.
Sir Miles, Freddy, as he is known by some, is one of the most noted English Architects. His garden in my opinion immediately reveals that he is a designer of spaces and ones movement thru those spaces. Strong form, by way of hedging, views and vistas alternately forced and revealed. Like it or not, Sir Miles designs as one does with the confidence of his own aesthetic.
Art and sculpture are sited in the garden to provide the experience of a living gallery, often referring to an element or color combination in that area of the garden. Having the both the time and the intimacy in that garden allowed aspects to be disclosed that a rushed tour of the garden likely would have concealed. I must admit, this helped me warm to thee garden. Additionally, his staff offered us wonderful hospitality during our visit in Sir miles absence.
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