The realm of garden ornament has traditionally included small structures like gazebos and follies. When designing landscapes, our structures draw on this tradition to solve conundrums that result from the conflict of the practical with the beautiful: how does one climb the hill from the garage to the kitchen without getting the groceries wet? How does one keep water from pooling in the basement entrance without installing a metal bulkhead? Where do we hide the pool equipment?
“Something there is more needful than expense,
And something previous ev’n to taste – ’tis sense.”
— Alexander Pope from An Epistle to Lord Burlington, 1731