The Moon Gate

We have just finished our latest Moon Gate!

These circular stone arches are one of my favorite projects to build. Any arch is always a bit magical when the wooden forms come out and gravity goes to work, but a Moon Gate has a special charm that I never get tired of. The form was originally created for Chinese nobility, and used to mark the entrance to lavish walled gardens. The British took the design from China to Bermuda, where it’s since become a tradition for newlyweds to pass though the gate for good luck.

This particular piece serves to transition a beautiful 6-acre lot from the landscaped upper lawn to the area left to nature. The eight-foot ring of native Texan limestone has been planted with Star Jasmine by our partners at Austin Native Landscaping. After a few seasons of growth, it will turn a casual back yard stroll into an adventure!

Finished Moon Gate

Stages of Construction

Formwork Removed

As a structure, I love the versatility of the materials and styles that can be used to hold a quarter ton of stone 8 feet in the air for generations. Spanning a distance with an arch of stone or brick is one of the most impressive and ancient feats of masonry, and these circular arches have timeless power to them that never fails to inspire me. Every Moon Gate is unique, but they all speak to the beauty, simplicity and power of the arch and the circular form.

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