One of the most recognisable features of classical Chinese garden design is the moon door.

These perfectly circular openings appear in walls separating one part of a garden from another. At first glance, they seem almost unnecessary. Why not simply leave the path open?

Because a moon door isn't just a doorway.

It's a moment.

Rather than revealing an entire landscape at once, it frames a carefully chosen view, inviting visitors to pause before stepping through. Crossing a moon door feels less like moving between two spaces and more like discovering a new one.

Although they originated in Chinese gardens, moon doors have occasionally found their way into Japanese garden design and contemporary architecture, particularly where designers want to create a sense of transition without completely separating one space from another.

Their circular form has inspired many interpretations. Some see the full moon, representing harmony and completeness. Others simply appreciate the way a perfect circle softens an otherwise solid wall, transforming a practical opening into something quietly sculptural.

At Yū, we're exploring whether a moon door could one day connect two bathing gardens.

Subscribe below to follow the journey as Yu Batthouse finds a home in Britain.