100 Visions: Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

Vancouver's Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is modeled after 4 of the best-known great gardens of the Scholar-Officials in the city of Suzhou, and was the first ot its kind built outside of China in the world. 52 artisans created the Garden, some of whom had also created Astor Court in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art - a partial indoor pavilion and courtyard. It was Astor Court that inspired the Vancouver project, that quickly grew to plan for a full-scale outdoor garden on the available land.

It took several years (preparation of plans and all the materials in China) and one year on-site - to lovingly create the complete Garden; every part of the structures was crafted by hand, using traditional tools, techniques and materials identical to those used to build the original gardens. Construction used mortise and tenon techniques, so there are no nails, screws or any form of hardware in the pavilions and walkways. The stone railings were hand-cut, roof tiles fired in the ancient kilns that produced the original tiles over 500 years ago. The only concessions to the modern age, due to necessity were glass in the windows (instead of fine rice paper) and electricity!