Award: Gold Medal

About the garden

Garden of the Wind offered visitors a serene and thought-provoking experience, designed for an East Asian art and cultural institution based in the UK. Set in the Midlands, the garden served as a non-traditional exhibition space, blending Eastern aesthetics and philosophy with contemporary design and eco-conscious principles.

At the heart of the garden stood a central structure, co-designed with collaboration artist Ueda Rikuo, which integrated traditional Eastern design with modern innovation. This architectural centrepiece not only provided a multi-perspective vantage point for viewing the garden but also acted as a kinetic artwork, capturing and visualising the movement of the wind through dynamic installations and wind drawings.

Design Inspiration & Symbolism

Inspired by Eastern philosophy, the garden symbolised the therapeutic inner world of Eastern cultures. The intangible force of wind, deeply significant in these traditions, was made tangible through sound, movement, and visual art. In Korean, the word for “wind” is a homophone for “hope,” and the garden allowed visitors to feel a sense of hope and confidence as they engaged with its elements.

Artistic & Cultural Impact

The garden served as an interdisciplinary artistic platform, showcasing collaborations between artists, designers, and professionals. It aligned with the growing trend of non-white cube exhibition spaces, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional galleries. Through its design and execution, the garden explored environmental protection, contemporary art practice, and cultural storytelling.

Sustainability & Environmental Responsibility

Sustainability was central to the garden’s construction and ethos:

• Recycled building materials were prioritised.
• Ground screws replaced concrete footings.
• Cement use was minimised to reduce environmental impact.
• Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and soft-edge water features were used to manage water responsibly.
• Drought-tolerant planting and soil amendments supported resilience against climate extremes.

Post-Show Life

Following the exhibition, most materials and plants were returned to the designers’ suppliers. Remaining elements were transplanted to establish a permanent garden in the Midlands, ensuring the garden’s legacy continued.

Planting Scheme & Botanical Highlights

The garden featured a green-dominant palette, accented with purple and white, chosen to reflect Eastern philosophical principles and the movement of wind. Around 300 plants were supplied by Leaf Creative, a multi-award-winning horticultural company.

Five Key Plants

• Phyllostachys nigra – elegant black bamboo, symbolising strength and flexibility.
• Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ – ornamental grass that dances with the breeze.
• Anemone multifida Annabella Series – delicate blooms adding softness and motion.
• Thuidium kanedae – moss contributing to moisture retention and air quality.
• Racomitrium canescens – a resilient moss enhancing ecological diversity.

Unsung Heroes

• Mosses played a vital role in rainwater absorption, soil moisture retention, and air purification, while also contributing to the garden’s tranquil aesthetic.

Edible & Medicinal Plants

• Phyllostachys nigra, Camellia sinensis, and Epimedium sulphureum were included for their practical and medicinal value, reflecting the holistic nature of Eastern gardens.

Plant lists were provided by the designer as a guide, based on the time of year, location, and client brief. Final plant selections depended on growing conditions and availability, and while updates were made where possible, accuracy could not be guaranteed.

About the designers

Yun Sunmi is a garden designer and environmental artist based in South Korea with over two decades of experience in garden and landscape design. She has created a range of residential garden, city park, and landscape design projects across South Korea.

Lu Wenjuan (Luna) is a UK-based visual artist and garden designer. Collectively Luna and Yun received a Bronze medal for Green Islands garden at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2024.

Yun and Luna say, “Our vision of fostering an environment that mutually benefits ecological sustainability and human wellbeing has guided us to initiate our development within the horticultural industry. The garden design we have developed integrates traditional Eastern aesthetics with contemporary artistic practices.”

What are the advantages of designing a garden at the show?

Yun and Luna say, “Participating in garden exhibitions provides an excellent platform for us to showcase our innovative designs and engage in meaningful exchanges with industry professionals.”