RHS Chelsea flower show 2024 the national autistic society garden

Project Description

The National Autistic Society Garden seeks to capture an autistic person’s everyday experience of the world, using walls of cork to create a series of spaces dedicated to different types of social interaction - at work, with friends and family, with partners, and with ourselves.

It highlights a strategy called ‘masking’ –a potentially draining process involving consciously or unconsciously hiding autistic characteristics in order to fit in. The cork ‘masks’ encircle a central sanctuary with a mesmeric kinetic sculpture, alluding to the inner mind’s complexity and beauty.

We have co-designed this garden with Sophie Parmenter and the garden is sponsored by Project Giving Back. Landform Consultants have managed the build.

The planting scheme is multi-layered, evolving from wetland meadow to river birch woodland, with a vibrant colour palette at its boundary soothing to softer hues at its heart, textured curling bark sits alongside large crusted blocks of expanded cork.

A strong ecological ethos runs through the garden, showcasing the circularity of regenerative systems and the interdependent relationship between natural ecosystems and man-made materials.

CORK BLOCKS LIFE-CYCLE

Cork forestry is an integral part of a well-recognised biodiverse ecosystem. Cork is harvested by hand every nine years without harming the tree. Expanded cork is made with waste and by-products from cork forestry without additional ingredients, using 93% of energy from waste biomass. The cutting of the blocks is kept to a minimum, they are then CNC machined precisely to allow for friction-fit dry construction without mortar or glue. The screens are a direct result of the simple form of assembly. The system is designed for disassembly, so blocks can be recovered for re-use... or processing and recycling for manufacturing... or returning to the biosphere to regenerate new growth.

design, manufacturing & assembly

Our pavilions were meticulously designed and modelled in 3D, down to the finest details, including every screw. These digital models were then directly used for CNC machining to cut the physical components. After assembly and joint testing in a warehouse, the final structures were transported to site and craned into position at the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show. This process allowed us to refine each element before final installation, ensuring precision and a seamless fit.