Bangkok

THAILAND

Words and photos: David Andrews

Escape artist
In the heart of bustling Bankok, architect Bill Bensleys Baan Botanica is a
place of respite, filled with bold planting and artifacts from across the globe

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fter living for the past three years in

Bangkok, I yearn to walk through clumps
of colourful perennials that spill out over
the paths edge, enticing you to brush them with
an open palm and sigh in blissful content. To find
a personal space in Bangkok surrounded by lush
vegetation where you can while away the time
is difficult, to say the least. Dont get me wrong,
Thailand is a source of inspiration for any garden
designer with its mind-blowing array of orchids,
dazzling bromeliads and larger-than-life palms.
In the cooler climes toward the north, where
personal space is ubiquitous, temperatures also
permit the growth of roses and such delights
as strawberries. But in Bangkok, private garden
space is a premium. The 3 x 1.5m balcony outside
my apartment is my kingdom, teeming with
flowering delights, but for contemplative walks
itis not so functional.
After interviewing Bill Bensley, a successful
and talented architect based in Bangkok, I learned
of his private garden named Baan Botanica.
Bill is the owner of Bensley Design Studios, a
company he started in 1989. Primarily architects,

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the company now includes over 160 designers,

artists, landscape architects and interior
designers, with a portfolio covering more than
100 luxurious resorts across the world. With
prior knowledge of Bills creative, mesmerising
and captivating work, I had an inkling his private
garden might hold some surprises.
Situated on a typical Bangkok street, I arrive
at the oversized wooden gates standing next to a
large Balinese-style turret. A giant Samanea saman
casts a great shadow, sheltering me from the
strong overhead sun as I enter through the doors.
Verdant green ferns hang from the verandawhich
hugs the back of the house, creating a splendid
covered terrace from which toview the garden.

Feast for the eyes

The visual experience is emphatic. Giant urns,

cosy hideaways, bulging clusters of Tillandsia,
quirky sculptural artifacts. A small lawn provides
an introduction to cascading levels of dense,
bold planting. Ravenala madagascariensis acts as
a backdrop to layers of Livistona rotundifolia and
adjoining the small lawn, a hidden pool winds

around the thick prop roots of a sprawling

Pandanus sanderi. Sandstone steps lead down into
the water past the giant leaves of Philodendron
giganteum, whirling swords of Nephrolepis biserrata
and the blade-like leaves of a dwarf Pandanas.
The pool hides a secret sala where one can feel
completely relaxed, surrounded only by the
beauty of the planting and water.
After exploring the immediate areas
surrounding the house, I follow a path leading
me away from the veranda. It takes me to a
division, where the garden now presents a
number of choices: a giant purple archway
down one path, while directly in front of me
is a corridor of hanging ferns covered in spray
mist. The sculptural elements adorning the
edge of the path tempt me in. I feel like a
character in Alice in Wonderland. Im told by
Bills partner Jirachai that if they see something
they like, they buy it and have it shipped to
Thailand where it finds a place in the garden.
There are artifacts from across the globe here
Spain, Indonesia, Burma, India, China,
Vietnam, Cambodia and the list continues on.

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The visual experience is emphatic.

Giant urns, cosy hideaways, clusters of
Tillandsia, quirky sculptural artifacts

Page 15 A colourful
door-frame, originally from
India but purchased in
Chiang Mai, N Thailand,
connects differing areas
of the garden and is
matched in colour by the
ornamental vines of
Bougainvillea
facing page The muted
gun metal tones of the
seats, cushions and
ornaments complement
the pastel colour of
Platycerium, highlighted
by the yellow streaks of
the Pandanus leaves
clockwise from top
left As you enter through
the towering ornate
Chinese temple doors, you
are greeted by an outdoor
living area, distinguished
by a patterned tile floor
that was imported from
Spain; Perched in a small
frame as if forming part of
a museum exhibition, sits
a small image from
Mumbai, India; Sandstone
steps enter the swimming
pool from the lawn. It
unifies natural form with
the man made,
strengthened by the giant
prop roots of Pandanus
senderi; The humid
Bangkok climate is perfect
for growing bromeliads
such as Neoregelia

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large planters contain Pandanus the eyes

on the face of the planter are the same colour
as the yellow-cream leaves of the plant
The corridor of ferns is created with hanging
Polypodium subauriculatum attached to a trellis
complete with a misting spray to keep them
sufficiently moist. Entering between two
whimsical-looking terracotta lion statues
imported from India, my eye is drawn to a
beautiful statue of a womans head. The detail is
immense and it radiates character. The sculptural
piece was personally handed to Bill by the Thai
sculptor, Thongma.

Structured hierachy of plants

The pathway leads past a small outbuilding

harbouring a number of worldly delights
and eventually connects to a second lawn
area. Aborder of hierarchal structured plants
includethe dwarf screw pine Pandanus
diffusing the lawns edge, backed by larger
Ruellia squarorosa with its violet flowers and
from which the whorled stems of Dracaena
loureiri twist upward, provides a flamboyant

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canopy of strap-like leaves. Across the

lawn is a majesticpavilion complete with
drawingcurtain, trellissides and ornate steps
broken with runningplanting of Ophiopogan
against eachstep. A flowering border of
Convolvulus sabatius and Cleome spinosa adds a
structured edge to theraised pavilion.
Adding to the wonderland-like atmosphere
and absorbing character of thegarden, two large
planters etched with faces are perched at either
corner of the pavilion terrace, planted with
Pandanus the eyes on the face of the planter the
same colour as the yellow-cream leaves of the plant.
Two large Livistona rotundifolia mark the bottom of
the steps while at the top and surrounding each
planter, are sprawling low mounds of Ceratostigma.
Hanging from the pergola roof are bulging
baskets of Polypodium subauriculatum enjoying
the shade provided and adding height to the
planting theme. A huge table imported from
Bali takes centre stage within the pavilion.

Facing Page, top

Contrasting colours
create an air of
excitement, with
quirky touches such as
the planters with
faces adding an
element of play
Bottom Architect
and owner of Baan
Botanica, Bill Bensley
This page,
clockwise from
top left
Two terracotta lion
statues imported from
India mark the entrance
to the hanging
Polypodium
subauriculatum
walkway; A sculptural
piece created by the
Thai artist, Thongma;
Light and airy,
surrounded by fresh
foliage bursting from
giant urns, hanging
baskets, table pots and
raised borders
characterises the
outdoor seating area on
the veranda

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The tables surface is mottled blue,

complementing thesimilar tones of the
Ceratostigma and Convolvulus flowers.
In every area of the garden Im spoilt for choice
as to where I can travel next. From the lawn and
pavilion area there are four exits two of them
with framed doors. As I explore the further
reaches of the garden I discover an outdoor
bathroom, complete with Chinese doors and
inside a puppetry horse from Burma hanging
from the ceiling. Just as I start to think the garden
cant conjure any more surprises, I turn a corner
to find a giant brass sculpture of what appears
to be a human with bird wings. It sits at the
end of avista lined with Plumeria under the full
sun. Thesculpture was inspired by the image
of a unicorn and is the epitome of Bills vivid
imagination. Baan Botanica is a place to escape.
Escape not only the city, but the monotony of
everyday processes. It provides a raft for your
imagination and spirit to catch on to and come
alive through the splendour of its organic design
and bountiful planting.
www.bensley.com

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Clockwise from above

left A winding path leads
past a shady, raised
seated area to saloon
style doors that mark the
entrance to another area;
A close up of a terracotta
lion statue from India; A
peaceful corner. This
wooden chair was
purchased in Chiang Mai
and painted to give a
vintage appearance,
before finding its position
in the garden.