Interview about Field Garden Landscape Renovation, winner of the A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award 2024
The project aims to transform an abandoned fruit orchard into a community garden, with the goal of enhancing social well-being and promoting harmony between agricultural ecosystems and urban life. The site is located in a rural agricultural environment, and the design takes inspiration from the fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz." By combining functionality, aesthetics, and agricultural landscapes in mind, the design utilizes scenes from the story to construct garden spaces and enhance the natural environment.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe theme is inspired by the carefree life of Dorothy in the natural fields from The Wizard of Oz fairy tale, transforming it into a real-life environmental setting. It also integrates the companions encountered during her journey, which were essential for overcoming challenges, such as: the Heart’s desire, Courage, Wisdom, and the journey home. Different spatial designs are used to present these elements in the environmental experience. The healing power of the natural environment nurtures the body, mind, and spirit, creating a warm and happiness-filled home.
Through the analysis of wind speed, wind patterns, and temperature over the years at the site, we found that the area experiences strong and cold winds in winter, making outdoor activities nearly impossible. Therefore, using planting design to mitigate the harsh winter winds is crucial. This not only improves the site’s climatic conditions but also allows the garden to provide a comfortable and welcoming space for community activities throughout the seasons. By utilizing Envi-met for microclimate analysis, we can accurately understand the temperature characteristics of different areas, enabling us to select appropriate vegetation. For example, wind-resistant and drought-tolerant plants are chosen for cold and windy areas, while flowering plants and edible plants can be planted in warmer, sunnier areas, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of the space.
The sixty-year-old lychee tree is a remnant of the area’s agricultural development. During the environmental transformation process, we specifically preserved the old tree and relocated it to the entrance as a focal point of the space. This is not only a preservation of local agricultural culture but also a tribute to the shared memories of the residents. We hope that in the future, the elderly will pass on agricultural skills to the younger generation through storytelling, fruit harvesting, or teaching care techniques, thus continuing the community's shared spirit and culture.
During the summer, when rainfall is abundant, the natural undulations of the terrain are used to guide rainwater to flow and seep into the drainage pipes at the bottom of the soil, collecting the water into a sunken reservoir. When winter brings insufficient rainfall, the stored rainwater is used by an automatic irrigation system to provide the necessary moisture for the plants, effectively reducing water waste and energy consumption. Through the rich natural ecology within the site, we not only provide children with opportunities to observe nature but also strengthen their awareness of environmental protection, transforming this space into a sustainable environmental education venue.
Between 2023 and 2024, the average local temperature has risen by 1.5 degrees compared to previous years, and climate warming has become an undeniable fact, making summers increasingly hotter. Therefore, using plants to improve the climate has become a necessary measure. We have redesigned this area into a lush, shaded environment to promote cooling effects and provide the community with a cool outdoor space for activities. The multi-layered planting design not only ensures environmental diversity but also effectively enhances the land's water retention capacity. The choice of drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants is key to this design.
Through the color design of the installation artworks, we emphasize the fusion of courage and spirit, while advocating for environmental protection, inspiring children to build courage in protecting animals and ecosystems. The playground and fitness facilities in the area not only promote physical health but also enhance mental well-being, guiding people to make good use of the natural environment and achieve a balance of body and mind, thereby improving overall health.
By incorporating a large number of edible plants into the multi-layered planting design, the garden is transformed into an eco-friendly and functional edible landscape. This not only provides a food source for wildlife but also offers community residents the opportunity to participate in farming activities. This bidirectional interaction strengthens the close connection and symbiotic relationship between the ecosystem and the community.
Focusing on pedestrian pathways as the main axis, we connect multifunctional spaces and deepen the experience through the story theme. Each area has its own distinct characteristics, but the overall design maintains a cohesive narrative and functionality, creating a harmonious spatial experience.
By strengthening the local culture, industry, historical background, and unique characteristics, we create more spaces that promote community interaction and activities. This helps cultivate a shared consciousness among residents, thereby attracting the affection and emotional engagement of surrounding community groups, deepening the community connection.
The field landscape showcases a strong nostalgic atmosphere and rich storytelling, not only sparking emotional resonance and enthusiastic participation but also emphasizing that environmental improvement must continue to progress in a sustainable manner.
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