Iron Landscape Planning and Garden Design · 2024
Field Garden Landscape Renovation
- A' Design Award 2024 Iron Winner in Landscape Planning and Garden Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Millet Design Co., Ltd
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 14,998
- Verification code C13A8DC161 · Verify this award
About Field Garden Landscape Renovation
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.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Two of the 60-year-old Litchi chinensis were preserved and relocated to the main entrance of the abandoned fruit farm, serving as a symbolic representation of the new space. The original farmland was transformed into a community garden, providing leisure and recreational activities to the community in the nearby neighborhood. In the garden, a rainwater recycling system was incorporated and an space was especially designed for children to observe the ecology and the food forest.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Design area: 2,045 square meters
- Tags
- edible garden, community garden, agricultural landscape, agricultural natural ecology
- Production Technology
- After conducting environmental simulation analysis using Envi-met for the existing natural factors such as climate, wind patterns, and sunlight at the site, the designer introduced suitable native vegetation to the local environment. Apart from creating comfortable activity spaces, the design also incorporates terrain variations to mitigate noise, retain rainwater, and provide protection against strong winter winds.
- Design Challenge
- The utilization of vegetation serves to ameliorate the harsh climate in winter and establish a pleasant outdoor microclimate, effectively mitigating the heat island effect in the city within this area. In addition, reducing the size of the developed area preserves significant portions of prime land, allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate through the original soil. Furthermore, the implementation of small underground reservoirs ensures the continuous water conservation during the drought period, resulting from the insufficient rainfall in winter.
- Project Duration
- The project began in January 2021 in Mt. DaDu in Taichung City, Taiwan, and was successfully completed in February 2023.
- Operation Flow
- Based on the theme of the adventures of Dorothy and her three friends (the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow) in the fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz," the design transforms the field spaces into an environment that is both functional and enjoyable. The design concepts, which are inspired by the themes of the encounters in the forest the explorations in the forests, aim to encompasses elements of spiritual healing, courage, and physical strength. Ultimately, it aims to create a joyful and welcoming space. The design incorporates a small edible forest and an area for sports and recreational activities. This space encourages the interaction between parents and children in the neighborhood by integrating fun games in the playground and facilitating daily communication in the community.
- Research
- The diverse and native vegetation cultivates an ecological habitat brimming with vitality, promoting a friendly environment for biodiversity. The application of large amount of greenery establishes connections among the belt-shape agricultural area in the surroundings, creating the comprehensive habitats by fostering increased migration and habitat opportunities for various animals and living creatures. As a result, the overall biodiversity of the agricultural areas can be greatly improved.
- Inspiration
- With the rapid urban expansion, the urbanization of cities has expanded to the rural areas. The original fruit farm in the same location has been abandoned and the farming activities has stopped for a long time, leaving a lot of withered fruit trees and exposed soil on site. The environmental conditions were deteriorating day by day, posing a challenge to the current project, which aims to create a symbiotic and integrated relationship between people and the agricultural ecological environment in this garden.
- Image Credits
- IMAGE CREDITS:
Millet Design Co., Ltd.
Jeou Tarng Estate Co., Ltd.
Colors of Field Garden Landscape Renovation
Design Interview about Field Garden Landscape Renovation
My main principle was to address the rapid disappearance of urban fringe agricultural environments and the worsening ecological and natural conditions. I aimed to create a garden where people can live healthily and coexist with nature. The inspiration came from the fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz.
My main focus was on improving the challenges posed by strong northeast winter winds and local water scarcity. Through micro-environmental wind control experiments, I aimed to enhance the layout of plantings and activity areas.
I plan to apply these effective methods to improve other harsh environments.
It took me 3 years to complete this design concept.
This design was commissioned. I aimed to address local environmental challenges through this unique concept.
A professional construction team is collaborating on the execution.
I was inspired by the support from the project's stakeholders.
The Low Impact Development (LID) methods and technologies internationally had a significant impact on my design.
The target clients for this design are the residents of the newly developed community on Dabelly Mountain in Taichung City, Taiwan, including over 200 households.
I wanted the name to reflect the beauty of the rural wilderness of Dabelly Mountain.
We used AutoCAD, SketchUp, and 3D tools for design and visual presentation.
I incorporated environmental wind simulation experiments into my design.
We collaborated with the Millet Design team, all of whom are professionals with extensive expertise in landscape architecture.
Technology serves to assist, strengthen, and experimentally validate this design.
Yes, I conducted wind control experiments and other research to support the decision-making process for this design.
I faced numerous challenges due to the variability in climatic conditions.
I decided to do so because the stakeholders affirmed and supported my design.
I learned to approach global environments with humility and to conduct design in a more subdued manner.
I continue to monitor the recovery status of the ecology.
Grand Interview about Field Garden Landscape Renovation
The 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.