lasting tribute
K. Maged Perennial Garden Monument
In collaboration with Theodore Maged, our team had the privilege of designing a garden experience at the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Three monuments stand in celebration of Kimberly Maged and the couple’s lasting legacy.
vision
The location held deep meaning for the couple, inspiring a gateway that honors Kimberly’s memory through the annual rebirth of the perennial gardens. Designed to offer a warm embrace, the monument welcomes visitors attending weddings and special events. Inspired by the couple’s wedding site, the tropical house signage serves as a heartfelt tribute and a model for future donor recognition throughout the greenhouses.
detail
The 12-foot arched metal gateway marks the entrance to the Perennial Garden, creating an aisle, guiding visitors toward the engraved marble stone. Renderings show the monument in all seasons, playing a role in the approval process with the University of Michigan team. In tribute to the couple, the tropical house signage features perforated patterns inspired by the surrounding plants. Bronze cast letters, add warmth and contrast against the raw steel, standing out on both sides of the sign.
secret
The gateway underwent three design iterations, ultimately drawing inspiration from the late Kimberly Maged’s wedding ring. In the final installation, two overlapping metal arches with letters carved into the metal that cast shadows, projecting Kimberly’s name onto the ground below.
