With a mission to ‘enrich life through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment’, a small group of Houstonians came together to form a living museum.
That living museum, better known as the Houston Botanic Garden is made up of 132 acres of varied ecosystems. From wetlands to woodlands, and prairies to pine groves, these distinctive spaces create opportunities for education and relaxation whilst attracting wildlife and promoting stewardship of the environment.
Amongst these diverse landscapes sits the Culinary Garden, a haven populated by medicinal and edible plants designed to guide and enlighten visitors about the species that have proved vital for humanity throughout the world.
Decoratively zoning the garden are three tiled waterfalls created alongside the Netherlands’ oldest ceramics company Koninklijke Tichelaar. A total of 3,591 custom pieces were made for the installation, all of which feature a pale jade palette and vary from flat to 3D relief adding layers of diversity that reflect both the garden and the city.
These textures also inform the water flow, encouraging it to trickle in unique patterns. A select few tiles imitate portholes, with central windows providing a peek through to the rest of the gardens, creating an interactive dialogue and playful collaboration between spaces.
A new post by Hanna Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, November 2025.