'Gardening will Save the World,' created by IKEA and Tom Dixon, explores the importance of sustainable growing, looking at the contrast of the hyper-natural and hyper-tech. The garden will be on view at the Chelsea Flower Show between May 21-25, featuring exclusive prototypes of a new IKEA and Dixon range coming in 2021.
The garden will demonstrate how people can contribute to the movement of growing at home, and make a difference to reducing food waste, as well as broadcasting the beauty and functional importance of horticulture, through both traditional knowledge and the latest in growing innovation.
"As part of the Chelsea Flower Show, we have designed and realised an experimental model for growing plants in the urban environment," Dixon commented. "Aiming to give back to cities and create productive landscapes within urban zones, the garden includes a raised modular landscape with edible and medicinal plants and an enclosed based garden fuelled by hydroponic systems and controllable lighting."
Exploring the contrast of the hyper-natural and hyper-tech to encourage an independent approach to growing, the garden will be split into two levels and feature over 4,000 plants. The garden's base will be a horticultural laboratory where hydroponic technology is implemented, whilst the raised garden will be a botanic oasis with a natural aesthetic for visitors to immerse themselves in.
"For IKEA, this project is about bringing attention to the future of the environment and the importance of growing food locally," explained James Futcher, Creative Leader at IKEA Range and Supply. "We want to create smart solutions to encourage people and make it easier to grow plants themselves anywhere they can, whether that's in their community garden, rooftop or in containers on balconies and window sills."
After IKEA and Tom Dixon have displayed their ideas at Chelsea Flower Show, the garden will be donated to charity Participatory City and moved to Barking and Dagenham in East London. Parts of the garden will be re-created at The Warehouse, the largest public makerspace in London to help inspire and enable more people to enjoy it and learn about the importance of growing food locally.
Images: Courtesy of Tom Dixon Studio