Gold Medal
Inspired by the musicality of rainfall, seven aluminium dipping tanks store harvested rainwater at the heart of the garden. Two are interlinked by a narrow rill, allowing water to move softly between them, while droplets falling onto steel tongue drums create organic music. Hydrophones within the tanks reveal the subtle sounds created beneath the surface.
The Environment Agency warns that England could face a daily water shortfall of up to 5 billion litres by 2055. The garden explores how using our own rainwater can help mitigate this challenge, moving rainwater harvesting beyond pure function to become a beautiful, central design feature.
Beneath a Corten steel pergola, a sunken seating area sits within predominantly lush green planting, punctuated with accents of colour beneath a characterful pine and a gnarled pear tree. At the rear of the garden stands a bespoke artist's studio - a creative hub where the songwriter works surrounded by the landscape for inspiration.
The garden is an invitation to reflect on climate change, creativity and water stewardship and has been informed by the work of Earth/Percent, the music industry's climate foundation.
