Houston homes with a slight Asian accent

Here's a post without a home.  I guess I'll just stick it here.

Sometimes when cruising through a neighborhood I will chance upon some oriental-inspired architecture or randscaping - ah, I mean, landscaping.  I don't imagine other people care all that much, but I find it different and appealing, especially as I jot down ideas and sketches for something that I would like to see designed someday for myself if I had a tub of money.  Maybe you'll find these refreshing as well.

If you had any others to add, drop me a line.  I don't know much about architecture, so feel free to correct me.

Houston certainly has some gorgeous homes, that is, some ridiculously massive mansions/palaces which I idly wish the people who own them might invite me inside someday.  These are not them.

Bunker Hill Village, I think on Bayou Glen Rd.

 

I'm not entirely sure if this was even consciously meant to be Asian in style.  I think the steps take away from the effect, which should be as smooth and relaxing as possible.  Also, maybe if the eaves were curved a bit, like the upturned point on elf shoes.

All in all, this is probably the best of the lot.  It's downhill from here.

The Japanese Supplementary School hosted at Westchester Academy.

This garden(?) is actually quite ugly, especially compared to what it could be.  I wonder if it was an Eagle scout project or something.  The torii strikes me as particularly fragile-looking.

Over by Montrose and UST.

A metal security gate inside of the inviting torii - kind of a contradiction in terms if you ask me.  Probably some pot-smoking Buddhist-wannabes judging by the stone pagodas/stupas. 

S. Braeswood near Buffalo Speedway or so.

A beautiful little bridge in a tiny little yard that goes nowhere.  Well, at least the willow tree and such help accentuate it.  Theoretically there is a place for some water beneath it for a ripply pool.  And the view across the street is of Braes Bayou, which could also use a facelift.

Near W. Bellfort and Chimney Rock.

A bridge for Hobbits?  Hobbits who use ADT Security apparently.

Off of Nairn St. by the Brae Burn Country Club.

Simple and austere, though a bit threadbare.  Maybe it's a Zen monastery by night.  Could use a dwarf cypress or bamboo or one of those curvy, gnarly, ornamental juniper shrubs in the lawn.  I love ornamental juniper.  Or a pond with koi and a footbridge and a little hedge enclosure to one side.  Why not?

Stella Link, south of 610.

Not a residence, but a trophy store.  The owner told me it used to be a Chinese restaurant a long time ago.  Went on about the still beam structure (steel?) supporting the place, but I didn't really understand.  Anyway, nice digs.  Would make a cool dojo.

P.S. - If you ever wondered what Shinto gates have to do with Texas and the American West, look no further.

Add another cross-beam and you're almost there.

 Wonder if I should call them up and claim to be a long-lost cousin?