The spare architectural language of the Asia Society center is met by a similar landscape that adheres to a thoughtfully executed minimalist ethic. The front yard includes a simple plane of ground cover and heritage oaks that frame views to the main entry and serves as a venue for special events. At the rear of the building, an allee of bald cypress trees form a vertical hedge that hold the view of the second level Green Garden.
Three distinctive gardens are located on the second level of the building. The Water Garden Terrace features a water skin that reflects shadows from two heritage oaks and the Houston skyline. Misters produce fog that rises over the edge of the Water Garden, obscuring the ground plane. The Stone Garden is a contemporary simple plane of gravel and black timber bamboo that serves as a backdrop to rotating pieces of sculpture and event displays. The Sculpture Garden is accessed from the central meeting room lined with a continuous unobstructed wall of glass. A generous terrace is framed by a sloped carpet of ground cover, with stone sculptures carefully placed in the composition.