Elmich had an inspiring visit to the Singapore Garden Festival at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. As a leading sub-surface drainage solutions provider, we were in awe of the creativity and innovation on display, particularly the 12 landscape and fantasy designs competing for the Best of Show Designer Gardens title.
L01 – The Biophilic Garden
Designer: Kazuyuki Ishihara (Japan)
Landscape Implementor: Prince’s Landscape Pte Ltd
Aimed at nurturing a connection with nature, this intimate garden is designed as a tranquil retreat within a built environment. Amidst a tapestry of lush greenery and vibrant blossoms, the gentle light of day filters through the wood screen symbolising traditional Japanese culture. The gentle murmur of cascading water provides a sanctuary for the senses and an invitation to be immersed in the beauty of the natural world. As daylight retreats and the moon casts its luminescent glow, the garden house, nestled in this oasis, beckons and evokes a sense of nostalgia and peace.
L02 – Nature’s Nest
Designer: Eliam Eng & Andy Eng (Singapore)
Landscape Implementor: Nyee Phoe Flower Garden Pte Ltd
Nature’s Nest celebrates the intricate tapestry of nature and community in the tropics, weaving together elements of human habitat evolution with lush greenery and the vibrant biodiversity of Mother Nature.
At the heart of our design lies a modern interpretation of the human habitat, tracing its evolution from the primitive caves of our ancestors to the contemporary structures of today. As visitors progress through the garden, they are greeted with modern ponds symbolising the vital role of water in both nature and human survival. Decks and lush greenery surround these ponds, representing the power of nature in shaping the world around us. Each element of the garden is carefully curated to evoke a sense of awe and wonder, encouraging visitors to pause and reflect on the beauty and resilience of the natural world.
Nature’s Nest serves as a reminder and a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations. As we continue our efforts to restore and preserve the environment, let us remember the lessons of the past and strive towards a more sustainable and harmonious future.
L03 – Ecosystem Gardening
Designer: Grant Associates – Chin-Jung Chen (United Kingdom) & Libby Tandian (Singapore)
Landscape Implementor: Mao Sheng Quanji Construction Pte Ltd
In the tropics, countless species coexist harmoniously, weaving the intricate tapestry of life. Conversely, urban environments imbue planting with a social significance, linking us to collective memories. Our design celebrates the tropics’ richness while expressing gratitude for nature’s gifts. It aims to showcase a harmonious blend of cultivated spaces and the surrounding natural environment, fostering coexistence through Ecosystem Gardening principles.
With multi-layered planting and structures, our layout offers diverse habitats for forest creatures and spaces for social interaction and communion with nature. The garden tells the story of “Give Hope”, inspiring a step change in re-greening our planet. It encourages individuals to become ecosystem gardeners by intensifying and diversifying their gardens; to take small, actionable steps towards creating more sustainable and ecologically vibrant gardens, ultimately contributing to the larger goal of conserving biodiversity and fostering healthier, more resilient ecosystems—one plant at a time.
L04 – Collecting a Moment
Designer: Mark Cook & Emily Cook (United States of America)
Landscape Implementor: Ban Nee Chen Pte Ltd
Consciousness stills as echoes of constant thought are silenced while approaching the protective walls of this tranquil retreat. Evoking search, the inviting archway reaches across linear pools reflecting the immersive landscape and captivating atmosphere. Tucked within the cascading foliage, a serene garden, adorned with dappled shade and a moss-covered floor, entices a tiptoe across the cool water’s surface. Moving through the outstretched leaves and amidst the fragrances nearby, the sought-after sanctuary offers respite from the relentless passage of time.
L05 – Engardening
Designer: Ann Teo (Singapore)
Landscape Implementor: Teck Heng Landscape & Construction Pte Ltd
Reimagine the tropical garden in the heritage landscape of our communities.
This display presents the tangible experience of communal gardens and the alluring dream of edible landscape within the vicinity of our tropical neighbourhoods.
This garden is a vibrant homage to the timeless allure of living gardens. Here, each step is a journey through verdant foliage, dazzling hues and the tantalising sight of ripened fruits and vegetables. Each ornamental or edible plant, whether native or naturalised, contributes to a vibrant tapestry of the re-imagination of flavours and textures, transcending their utilitarian purpose to become expressions of form, beauty and hope.
This microcosm of reimagined landscape becomes a space where communities can gather and engage in activities that lift their souls—practising yoga, playing musical instruments, or being captivated by bird songs. We reimagine the living garden becoming a living stage where performances are scheduled to engage with visitors.
L06 – Collecting a Moment
Designer: Alan Rudden (Ireland)
Landscape Implementor: Landscape Engineering Pte Ltd
This display aims to create a serene and aesthetically pleasing garden that is both functional and enjoyable—an architectural space that maintains a strong connection to nature.
The garden is centered around a contemporary pavilion, nestled within a lush, verdant planting scheme. It is a harmonious blend of green foliage and structural form. The seating area is sheltered under a roof canopy and situated on a central terrace, which, through the use of mirrors, creates the illusion of floating above the garden. The roof and tall walls are adorned with abundant plant life. The ambience is enriched by the sound of flowing water, while a wall-mounted sunburst sculpture adds depth and intrigue to the backdrop.
The planting selection is deliberately restrained, featuring predominantly green foliage. The materials palette is minimalist, incorporating polished concrete, emerald tiles and steel details. Effective rainwater management is achieved through a connection between the roof and pool. The artful use of lighting plays a key role in creating atmosphere and depth, transforming a compact space into a sanctuary for rest and contemplation.
F01 – Nature’s Dance
Designer: Erin Angela Bridget Yap & Glicerio E. Galac Jr (Singapore)
Landscape Implementor: Vertical Green Pte Ltd
Step into a world where nature orchestrates its own ballet, where every plant, every bloom and every leaf sways in rhythm to the music of the earth. This immersive experience invites you into a world where the beauty of nature takes center stage, captivating your senses and igniting your imagination.
A harmonious symphony of nature surrounds the uprooted tree with six majestic columns adorned with a diverse array of lush plants. Hanging Spanish Moss and ferns cascade from above, adding an ethereal touch to the scene. The soothing sounds of cascading water create a sense of tranquility and harmony. Mirrors strategically placed throughout the installation amplify the space, enhancing the immersive experience. Hanging vertical gardens add layers of greenery, while driftwood accents mimic the intricate roots of the uprooted tree.
Colourful and glowing lights cast a magical glow over the entire installation, illuminating the natural beauty of each element. Step into this captivating world where nature’s choreography unfolds before your eyes, and let yourself be transported to a place where the dance of the elements reigns supreme.
F02 – Between Two Worlds
Designer: Leon Kluge (South Africa)
Landscape Implementor: Tropic Planners & Landscape Pte Ltd
Between Two Worlds captures the moment between wakefulness and the realm of dreams. Amongst the roots of mysterious mangroves, the humble nest invites you to ease into slumber and embrace this magical world teeming with life. The forest begins to move to the rhythm of the imagination, bringing back memories of a simpler time when we lived in harmony with nature.
F03 – Sunkiss
Designer: Jihae Hwang (Republic of Korea)
Landscape Implementor: Earthscape Concepts Pte Ltd
The SUNKISS garden features Earth, revealing the equator in the middle where life emerges and evolves over time into inventive forms of vegetation. The Sun kisses with warm nurturing rays favouring the equatorial region, breathing vitality into our thriving rainforest and ecosystem while exhibiting the essence of diversity in the tropics. Her pulsating heartbeats serve as a poignant reminder that the earth beneath our feet is breathing, living and ever-evolving. The sun has bestowed upon us the vibrant preservation of life for us to cherish and protect for generations to come.
F04 – Beyond Time
Designer: Hu Shiyang (China)
Landscape Implementor: Swee Bee Contractor Pte Ltd
Beyond Time pays tribute to the ancient Chinese masterpiece, “Shan Hai Jing” (Classic of Mountains and Seas), by capturing the spirit of Xishuangbanna’s tropical rainforest. Nestled in the south of Yunnan Province, China, the rainforest is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity. Inside the garden, ancient legends seamlessly merge with a vibrant mix of flora, creating a sense of timelessness that connects the past to the present. The majestic indigenous tree of Xishuangbanna, reminiscent of the celestial tree depicted in “Shan Hai Jing”, and the giant vines stretching hundreds of metres, have been incorporated to highlight the abundant biodiversity of the tropical rainforest, while advocating for the vital importance of species conservation. Carried by the wind, seeds and spores find their home in the garden, casting light on a realm where the charm of Chinese mythology intertwines with the allure of botanical wonders.
F05 – Portals To Paradise
Designer: Jules Moore (New Zealand)
Landscape Implementor: Limelite Productions Pte Ltd
This garden is a gateway to a serene and idyllic world, celebrating nature & community within its tropical beauty. As you meander through this garden, stepping on our dragon’s scales, you will sense a profound connection between humanity and the natural world.
Here, our interactive Cosmic Portal takes centre stage. Crafted from sustainably sourced timber, you are invited to enter and be immersed in a stunning lighting and sound display that expands your consciousness. Within this audio, you will hear the calls of endangered frogs and birds from Singapore intertwined with our own harmonious voices from New Zealand.
Amidst the abundance of tropical foliage and cascading water features lie the skeletal remains of two trees, their outstretched branches now adorned with a multitude of epiphytic plantings, staking their claim to life. A naturally woven DNA strand emerges from this, symbolising the interconnectedness of our lives with nature on a cellular level. It is ingrained in humanity, embedded in our DNA, and now forms the essence of our nation.
F06 – The Matrix Garden
Designer: Sanitas Pradittasnee (Thailand)
Landscape Implementor: Lawrence Landscape & Construction Pte Ltd
In today’s fast-paced world, our goal is to create a sanctuary where individuals can pause and reconnect with themselves. The concept of the Matrix Garden is deeply rooted in our present reality, symbolically reflecting the dynamic nature of our existence.
Within the Matrix Garden, visitors are transported into a simulated environment that mirrors our contemporary landscape. From the outside, they are immersed in a virtual realm where themes of creation and dissolution, growth and decay unfold seamlessly. Here, amidst burgeoning or forgotten steel structures, native flora from Singapore thrive, offering a glimpse of nature’s resilience.
The inner space is an invitation to embrace tranquility, providing visitors with a sanctuary for introspection and contemplation. It is an opportunity to delve into the diverse phenomena unfolding in their immediate surroundings, fostering a deeper connection with both self and environment.
Click here to view Elmich’s sub-surface drainage cells for your dream garden today!
References
National Parks Board (NParks). Singapore Garden Festival 2024 – Official Show Programme. Retrieved August 3, 2024, from https://sgf.nparks.gov.sg/files/SGF_2024___Booklet_Programme.pdf
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