Tucked away within the romantic city of Verona is a wonderful garden that was built as a backdrop to the Giusti Palace.  What I love about this garden, besides its obvious beauty, is the experience it creates.  It feels like finding a hidden room or a secret compartment.  The lushness and the expanse of the gardens create an engulfing sense of calm after coming from the tight energetic streets of the surrounding city.

We don’t find many gardens like this here in the U.S., and I think we’re the worse for it.  Sure we have public green spaces.  Most are large in scale, very open and offer great community space for both large and small gatherings and activities.  I think what they are missing is the intimacy and the drama.  A large part of the experience is of course by design, and by good design at that.  Giusti was planned and built with the sole purpose of creating drama, views, and experience.  I think our city planning and urban design could take a few cues from the Italians, creating discoveries, small hidden gems tucked into the urban fabric…………places to get lost.