Pittsburgh, PA
HIGHLAND PARK GARDEN CLUB
HIGHLAND PARK GARDEN CLUB
HIGHLAND PARK GARDEN CLUB
HPGC member David Lagnese combines his passion for Japanese culture and aesthetics with an interest in salvage and reclaimed materials to create a unique Japanese Garden, here in Highland Park. Come learn about the designing and creation of this garden gem. Read the remarkable story of David’s garden here. And watch the video!!
The program is free to HPGC members. All are welcome to join (click here). Nonmembers are welcome with a donation through Eventbrite (click here).To attend, please RSVP to hpgcpgh@gmail.com by Weds, May 20.
From David:
“I have been interested in Japanese culture and aesthetics for a long time. When I was in graduate school I was lucky enough to meet many Japanese students. Later in life, my wife Cristy worked at the Nationality Rooms where we got to know the members of the Japanese Nationality Room Committee. I also began to follow closely the work of furniture makers George and Mira Nakashima. I now serve as a member of the Japanese Nationality Room Committee and as a Board Member of the Nakashima Foundation.
In 2021 I retired from working. I set as one of my retirement goals to build a Japanese Garden in our back yard. It seemed like a good idea at the time, yet I had never been to a Japanese Garden, so I had a lot to learn. I spent several years researching the topic and visiting gardens around the country. As part of my research I visited the following places:
· Palm Springs, California
· The Noguchi Museum, Long Island City, NY
· National Arboretum and The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, Washington, DC
· Hillwood Estate Museum and Garden, Washington, DC
· Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center, Philadelphia, PA
· The Huntington Japanese and Chinese Gardens, Pasadena, CA
· Nakashima Compound, New Hope, PA
· Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden, Pasadena, CA
· Rabkin Garden, Tarentum, PA
Each of these places provide concepts and ideas that I incorporated into our garden.
In 2022 I started sketching out some preliminary designs for the garden, the fence and a carport. One of my ideas was to make a carport that looks like a Japanese Tea house, which is an integral part of many Japanese Gardens. 
One of my passions is making things from used building materials. I worked with Construction Junction to obtain the materials for the fence, the carport and some of the other pieces in the garden. In most Japanese gardens the fence is 8 feet tall and and is solid so as to create privacy. I adapted that idea and designed a fence that fits our local building codes and aesthetics. The fence was constructed in 2023, and is constructed with 100 year old California Redwood that originally served as shelving in a pottery factory. The wood had to be planed, sanded and stained. I did that work with assistance from my nephew Joey Lagnese. The fence was constructed by Highland Park Gardener Chris Brenenborg.
Once the fence was complete, I started working with some professionals to finish the design of the carport and layout of the garden. This included Tadoa Arimoto, Mathew Schleub (Architect) and Jim Lampl (Garden Designer). Jim and Tadao have been heavily involved in the Rabkin Garden. Construction Junction obtained a large supply of Douglas Fir beams that came out of a barn in Westmoreland County. My initial sketches were adapted by Matt and Tadao, ensuring that we met local building codes. This was a challenge since we are so close to the property line.
In early 2024 we got to work on the Car Port. Construction Junction cut all the beams into dimensional lumber based on the specifications provided by the Architect. I then processed the wood using the Japanese Shou Sugi Ban technique under the direction of Tadao Arimoto. This technique both preserves the wood and creates a beautiful patina. Since the original barn was constructed by Amish, I wanted to use an Amish crew to construct the new structure. I contacted former Mayor Tom Murphy as I knew that he had contacts in the Amish community. Tom connected me with Abraham Yoder who built the new structure in the fall of 2024.
In the Spring of 2025 installation of the garden began in earnest. Jim Lampl led the charge on this. We maintained 4 existing mature trees, but other than that we started fresh. Jim provided a few species from his nursery in Hampton Township. We obtained the rest of the plants from Plumline Nursery in Murrysville. They have an incredible selection and have been great partners.
Being a “new” Japanese Garden we have a long way to go to. Things came through the winter pretty well. We only lost one maple tree which Plumline replaced. I am now working with Dan Yobp who is training me on how to do the pruning and maintenance. Dan is probably the most accomplished Bonsai artist in Pittsburgh, so he is also helping teach me how to care for the Bonsai trees that we are incorporating into the garden.
Cristy and I look forward to welcoming the HPGC to our garden. We welcome feedback, input and ideas.
Here is a link to a video that provides some more information on the Carport project. It was recognized by Construction Junction as a good example of using reclaimed wood.
Best Regards,
David Lagnese”
Next Program:
TOUR A JAPANESE GARDEN, HERE IN HIGHLAND PARK
SATURDAY MAY 23, 10 am (Please note the date)
To attend, please RSVP by email to hpgcpgh@gmail.com by Weds, May 20