Rain Court
Rain Court
A small planted court where water, movement and somewhere to sit are considered as one landscape.
A small planted court where water, movement and somewhere to sit are considered as one landscape.
Fictional, unbuilt study. No drainage capacity, biodiversity improvement or other measured result is claimed.
Two crops from one imagined view.
Two crops from one imagined view.
An imagined planted rain garden with pale stone seating terraces, birch trees and narrow water channels.
Imagined design study · AI-generated image for COMMONKIND
Type of place
Pocket park & rain garden
Pocket park & rain garden
Setting
An imagined urban infill court
An imagined urban infill court
Stage
Unbuilt concept study
Unbuilt concept study
Study year
2026
2026
Scope
Landscape concept, routes and seating edges
Landscape concept, routes and seating edges
What the place asks for
What the place asks for
What the place asks for
This study begins with a narrow urban court and the possibility of giving more of its ground to planting. It asks how a small garden could offer a useful everyday route as well as a reason to stop.
Water is part of the spatial idea, rather than a performance claim. A real site’s levels, soil, drainage and maintenance arrangements would determine whether this approach is appropriate.
This study begins with a narrow urban court and the possibility of giving more of its ground to planting. It asks how a small garden could offer a useful everyday route as well as a reason to stop.
Water is part of the spatial idea, rather than a performance claim. A real site’s levels, soil, drainage and maintenance arrangements would determine whether this approach is appropriate.
The proposal
The proposal
The proposal
A planted centre is framed by broad seating steps and a continuous accessible route. Shallow channels make the movement of rain visible, while a small crossing connects two sides of the court.
The level changes give the garden a sequence of different positions: close to the planting, looking across the water or passing along the edge. The proposal keeps these experiences within one compact place.
A planted centre is framed by broad seating steps and a continuous accessible route. Shallow channels make the movement of rain visible, while a small crossing connects two sides of the court.
The level changes give the garden a sequence of different positions: close to the planting, looking across the water or passing along the edge. The proposal keeps these experiences within one compact place.
At the edges
At the edges
At the edges
Paving and planting meet at clear, repairable boundaries. The seating terraces offer different group sizes without assigning every part of the court a single use.
Access, water safety, winter conditions and maintenance would need to be tested as design work proceeds. The concept image is a starting point for that discussion.
Paving and planting meet at clear, repairable boundaries. The seating terraces offer different group sizes without assigning every part of the court a single use.
Access, water safety, winter conditions and maintenance would need to be tested as design work proceeds. The concept image is a starting point for that discussion.
What comes next
What comes next
What comes next
Survey site levels and drainage, establish maintenance responsibilities and test the accessible route. Develop the planting and water strategy with relevant specialists and local conditions in view.
Survey site levels and drainage, establish maintenance responsibilities and test the accessible route. Develop the planting and water strategy with relevant specialists and local conditions in view.
Keep. Add. Share.
Keep. Add. Share.
Keep
Keep
A direct route through the court.
A direct route through the court.
Add
Add
A planted centre, stepped seating and visible rain channels.
A planted centre, stepped seating and visible rain channels.
Share
Share
A place to pass through, pause beside planting or sit after rain.
A place to pass through, pause beside planting or sit after rain.