ASIAN
INSPIRED SCHOOL GARDEN (see
other featured projects)
Award Winning
- Mayor Daley’s 2009 Annual Landscape Awards
First
Place – Region 3 Schools
City-Wide Winner: 2009 Gardener of the Year
In November 2009, the Franklin Fine Arts Center
(FFAC) in Chicago, led by Ellen Moderhack, was
honored to receive both First Place for Schools
in Region 3 and the top city-wide award of GARDENER
OF THE YEAR in Mayor Daley’s Annual Landscape
Awards program. Ellen Moderhack was recognized
for her work not only in designing, installing
and maintaining the Franklin Fine Arts Center
garden but also for her on-going collaboration
with teachers and instruction of Franklin students
in the areas of landscape design, gardening and
plant information.
Each year Mayor Daley’s Annual Landscape
Awards program recognizes the individuals, businesses,
community groups, schools and other public institutions
who contribute their time and energy to create
green spaces that enrich lives, reduce noise and
stress and create quiet places for people to enjoy.
Listen to the November 15, 2009 Mike Nowak Show
Podcast interviewing Ellen Moderhack here.
Project Details
MODE designed and managed the installation of this
unique public garden for the Franklin Fine Arts
Center. Using the previously installed Chinese
moon gate for inspiration, MODE created a series
of functional, Asian-style garden spaces for the
entire school community to use.
On one side, the garden features a traditional
Japanese style dry pond with a stone slab bridge
and two woodland pathways leading to an elevated
classroom. On the other side, a mulch path takes
students to a circular classroom embellished with
stone ‘islands’.
Working with teachers, parents and students, MODE
amended the soil and installed many of the plants
during a series of work days in spring 2007 and
today continues to lead the on-going renovation
and maintenance efforts of the garden committee.
“Thank you for the emotional and physical
investment you made. Our garden is our
haven. Zen to you.”
- Ana S., FFAC parent
WEST
EAST
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