Kio Zen Garden occupies roughly a quarter of a Full private region boosted by the Land Capacity bonus from LL. The work of Truebow Magic, it is a remarkable garden-temple-venue setting melding ancient Japanese architectural styling and modern aesthetics into a genuinely unique location.
This is a place very much a place of two halves: the ground-level areas, and the upper gardens. The latter sit on massive slabs of rock just above the former, extending out across the parcel from the cliffs which curtain off Kio Zen Garden from the rest of the region on two sides, supported by huge columns of rock like giant table legs.
This is a design approach which can often come across as unnatural, giving rise as it does to large cavern-like spaces which are simply too regular to have any sense of having been naturally formed. However, that’s not the case here; such is Truebow’s design – including her choice of rock materials – that it is possible to travel through the entire setting without being aware of any sense of artificiality in its design.
Before going any further, I will note that Kio Zen uses a dedicated Shared Environment, and this really should be used when visiting, as it really brings out the depth of care which has been taken to blend materials, colour and form into the design. Given the nature of the region as a whole, I’d also suggest that a high draw distance is not required (particularly given Kio Zen is nicely screened from the rest of the region), nor is the use of shadows particularly required in order to see the setting at its best.
The upper level, reached via two sets of wooden stairs, is split into three distinct areas. The largest of thee is a broad, flat Zen garden focused around a shallow body of water and given a sense of peace by a mix of surrounding high rocky cliffs, wooden curtain walls and the strategic use of bamboo.
Paths circle the outer reaches of this garden, with stone walkways providing the means to cross the central body of water, connecting several areas in which visitors might sit and pass the time. Wind chimes hang from frames and a mix of pagoda and paper lanterns illuminate paths and dapple the waters with light.
The second elevated area is reached via a wooden walkway stretching across the northern side of the parcel close to the high cliff wall. Here the Zen garden theme continues, although the focus is very much on the temple occupying this space.
Crossing the walkway from garden to temple does reveal part of the lower elements of the setting and might give a hint of the unnaturalness of the base elements of both garden and temple if one is given to seeking them out – but the reality is, such is the work Truebow has put it blending rock with treetops, gardens (upper and lower), waterfalls and wooden walkways, everything does flow together naturally.
The lower garden space between these two raised platforms forms one of four areas occupying the ground level of the parcel, with the focus within them being a mix of social spaces and the celebration of music. It is also where, for me, the magic of the setting is revealed.
These four areas can be broadly split into the aforementioned garden space, running north from the beach Landing Point, the Landing Point itself (where a teleport board might also be found), a second open garden space with the third upper section of the setting occupying its south-west corner, and a quite magnificent series of venue spaces and walks underneath and extended to either side of the rock table supporting the Zen garden.
It is here that the sense of ancient-meets-modern permeates Kio Zen to great effect. Whilst home to spaces intended for music events, the structures under the rock are built in the shinden-zukuri style from Japanese classical history. This design emphasised open-sided geometric spaces linked by similarly open-sided walkways, the use of natural materials such a cedar wood for roof tiles rather than ceramics, and a minimalist approach to furnishings.
All of this is very much in evidence through these main structures, the high, sloping ceiling of which do much to hide the overhead rock (also helped by the clever use of large drapes over the overwise open-to-the sky roof ribs in places which both give the impression of being inside a building whilst further disguising the flat rock face above).
Painted cloth and wooden side panels are also used, working with waterfalls and well-placed trees and plants to prevent the rock walls and columns from heavily intruding into the spaces and gardens spaced around the main sturctures.
Open to the sea at one end, and with side paths and walks stepping own off of the wooden halls and rooms, this area is genuinely stunning in its blending of styles, forms, architecture, nature, lighting, water and ancient and modern – but I’ll leave you to find “secret” lounge space tucked away within it!
The cavern forms a further music space and hangout complete with outdoor deck seating at one end, just beyond a small jazz lounge which appears to be awaiting the arrival of the musicians. Above this, the flat garden space is crowned by an eye-catching ring of arched bridges spanning the tall columns of rock supporting the roof of the hangout. These are open to circumnavigation as well as connecting this corner of the setting with the paths leading to the Zen garden.
There is much more that might be said about Kio Zen Garden, but the truth is it should be seen for itself. Every aspect of its design has been carefully considered, and it comes together as a physical work of art.
Slurl Details
- KIO Zen Garden (Shopping City, rated Moderate)
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