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Mandala Moon Gate Garden – Silver Gilt & People’s Choice

An international show garden combining hardscape design and installation with symbolic spatial planning, delivering a resilient, award-winning landscape under pressure.

Rectangular water feature with fountain jets and safety mesh, framed by circular moon gate in award-winning Nagasaki garden
Conceptual Show Garden
Published April 6, 2026
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Special Thank you to:

Gardening World Cup (Event Host)

Gardening World Cup, Nagasaki Japan – Silver Gilt & People’s Choice Award, 2016

Returning to the Gardening World Cup in Nagasaki was both an honour and a challenge. With one international show behind us, we felt prepared. Nature had other plans.

Mandala was inspired by the spiritual symbol of unity and harmony. The design radiated outward from a central focal point, yet was intentionally composed to draw people inward. A Chinese inspired circular moon gate formed a symbolic threshold, guiding family and friends along a pathway of reconnection and return.

Strong formal structure anchored the garden. Symmetry and balance shaped the layout, with the composition emanating from a sculptural fire ball centrepiece toward communal seating and mirrored water features. Architectural hardscapes were softened by flowing bands of planting, where textured foliage formed the base palette, punctuated by vibrant bursts of colour.

Midway through construction, a typhoon swept through Nagasaki, bringing torrential rain and fierce winds. Months of preparation were tested overnight. With the support of an extraordinary local build team, an improvised canopy of tarps shielded the site long enough for us to complete the installation.

On judging day, the skies cleared.

The result was a Silver Gilt Medal and The People’s Choice Award, recognition not only of the design, but of resilience, teamwork, and the power of gardens to bring people together.

Mandala

Landscape Design & Planning

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Aerial view of geometric garden with circular moon gate, fire sculpture and symmetrical plantings at Nagasaki Japan
The moon gate frames movement through the garden while native plantings soften the formal geometry. Fire sculpture anchors the centre, drawing people inward through carefully balanced spaces.
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Stone circular moon gate with rectangular frame and colorful flower borders at Mandala Garden, Nagasaki Japan
The stone moon gate creates a threshold into the garden, framing views while the circular form contrasts with angular hardscaping around it.
Modern concrete pergola frames garden spaces with water feature and sculptural elements in award-winning Nagasaki garden
Strong geometric lines create outdoor rooms, with the pergola framing views and guiding movement through the garden. Water reflects light while the sculptural fire ball draws people toward the central seating area.
Stone circular moon gate with black steel pergola frames and purple flower plantings at Nagasaki Gardening World Cup
The stone moon gate creates a threshold into the garden, while steel frames above define gathering spaces. Purple spikes soften the formal geometry.
Black and white photograph showing scattered design plans, material samples and construction documentation for the award-winning Mandala Moon Gate Garden at Nagasaki Gardening World Cup
Plans and material samples spread across the design table, mapping out the geometry and plant palette that would become our Silver Gilt winner in Japan.
Hand-drawn design sketch showing circular moon gate garden layout with annotations for Mandala Moon Gate Garden, Nagasaki
Initial design sketches capture the radial geometry and moon gate threshold that would anchor the award-winning Nagasaki garden. We work through spatial flow and planting zones before construction begins.

Behind the Build & Progress

Construction workers building the Mandala Moon Gate Garden at Gardening World Cup in Nagasaki, Japan
Hands-on construction at the Gardening World Cup, where we worked alongside local builders to create the moon gate structure. The typhoon tested every joint and connection.
Landscape designer reviewing construction documents during Mandala Moon Gate Garden installation in Nagasaki, Japan
Coordination with local build teams proved essential when typhoon weather threatened the installation. We adapted quickly with improvised shelter systems to complete the award-winning design.
Two people conducting interview in garden setting with moon gate structure visible, Mandala Moon Gate Garden Nagasaki
The moon gate frames conversations about design philosophy and resilience. We documented the build story after typhoon challenges tested months of preparation.
Man in sunglasses sitting at table in award-winning Mandala Moon Gate Garden at Gardening World Cup Nagasaki
The communal seating draws people inward from the moon gate threshold, creating spaces for connection within the formal geometric structure.
By: Paal Grant
Paal Grant is a regional Victorian landscape designer specialising in intelligent, low-maintenance acreage gardens that integrate architecture, climate and long-term performance across complex rural sites.

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