A Sanctuary of Faith and Ecology at Marist School
Mary’s Garden at Marist School was envisioned as a profound transformation of the area surrounding the campus’s statue of Mary. Designers Ryan Duffey, Adriana Hernandez, and Juan Tobon of Arcoiris Design LLC aimed to create a spiritually meaningful sanctuary that serves as a place for prayer, rest, and reflection for the entire school community. Beyond its devotional purpose, the garden serves as a living expression of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si', teaching students the importance of environmental stewardship by intentionally fostering biodiversity and caring for "our common home."
The central fountain becomes the heart of Mary’s Garden.
Flowing water offers a peaceful melody for reflection and rest for all visitors.
The design achieves a harmonious balance between formal structure and natural beauty through the use of boxwood edges and clearly defined pathways that lead to the garden's heart. At the center, a flowing fountain provides a peaceful melody, anchoring the space spiritually and visually alongside the statue. The plant palette includes nectar-rich butterfly bushes and seasonal annuals specifically selected to attract bees and butterflies, while white hydrangeas bring a sense of purity and serenity to the landscape. To maintain the site’s established character, mature Japanese Maples were carefully preserved and incorporated as defining ecological elements.
Executing the project required overcoming significant logistical hurdles, including limited site access for materials and the delicate sensitivity of working within a sacred space. Through close coordination with school leadership and a commitment to sustainable practices—such as hydrozoning and organic pest control—the team successfully delivered a multi-functional sanctuary. The final result is a refined landscape where students can find quiet contemplation and a deeper connection with nature, fulfilling its mission as both a place of prayer and a classroom for ecological awareness.
before
after
Judges' comments about this project
- We love this design, completely reimagined the space.
- Tranquil setting, made the statue of Mary very approachable.
- We love the benches, the water feature. Design and plant selection is excellent.
- This satisfied all of the client's goals, and made it a restful retreat for prayer and contemplation for students, teachers and the community. A very subtle lighting plan would be wonderful.
About Arcoiris Design Gardening
Arcoiris Design Gardening was born in 2006. Since then Adriana and her husband Juan have grown Arcoiris Design Gardening into a successful Eco-friendly gardening company. Every garden of their beautiful designs is meticulously and artisticly hand made using a wide variety of fabulous plants, colors and earth materials.
