Castro Valley Garden: Where Details Define the Design

On a flat suburban lot hemmed in by towering neighbors, Mathew Henning crafted a garden that draws the eye inward with sophisticated detailing. The centerpiece? Paving patterns that read like circuitry—a nod to the homeowner's high-tech career.

Paving as Narrative

Ribbons of black slate dissect broader bands of multicolored African slate and exposed aggregate, "suggesting the complexities of circuitry or programming," explains Henning. Planting strips between the pavers, filled with baby's tears, soften the geometry with living texture.

Juror Acclaim

"It's truly original and beautifully executed," noted one awards juror. The garden transforms a constrained site into a cultivated sanctuary where every joint and junction carries intention.

DESIGNER: Mathew Henning, Henning/Anderson, Oakland, CA (510/531-3095)