14. Souvenir du futur
What will our future be? How can we adapt and prepare for it? This garden highlights the necessity of going back to basics and getting up close to our natural environment. As soon as we enter, we are struck by the first glimpse of a sphere of earth floating on water. It represents our planet, while the pool is reminiscent of the immensity of the universe that surrounds it. We are reminded of our human condition: we are but the smallest of things. It is important to remain humble before nature. Then, we are invited to walk around the pool to discover the plants and change perspective. It is a physical journey towards understanding a message. From the other side of the garden, the sphere opens out onto a rudimentary habitat holding together basic necessities. This ball of Earth is also a simple, humble home, it is our home. Outside, a bench offers a moment for reflection and meditation. We are surrounded by edible and medicinal plants. They are here to help us to live. Cherishing them should be obvious. This garden questions us about our future.
DESIGNERS
After graduating in 2007 from the École Bleue design school, Alice Stadler soon began her professional life by working on large-scale projects. At the age of just 23, she effectively became project manager at Agence Maître & Lemesle and was responsible for the artistic direction of the Belambra group. She took charge of the renovation of numerous holiday resorts of more than 10 000m2 and refined her sense of architecture by modernising accommodation, restaurants, bars, spas, nightclubs, conference rooms and children’s clubs, etc. Strengthened by this experience, in 2010 she decided to improve her knowledge and resume her studies by enrolling at the Paris School of Architecture at La Villette from which she subsequently graduated. In 2012, she joined Nicolas Stadler to develop the architecture branch of the Stadler Design Studio and enable the company, which was always looking to develop, to work on more ambitious projects. After several years there, she now wants to use her job to express herself by working on artistic installations prioritising ecological and social topics.
Nicolas Stadler was born in 1980 in Tours. After studying business and marketing, he moved to Paris in 2002 to pursue his artistic studies. He graduated from the École Bleue design school in 2007 and worked in two design and architecture practices where he was responsible for design. In 2009, he created his own practice, Stadler Design Studio, and enrolled in the Ateliers de Paris taking up a residency there for a year. Having returned to Tours, he now develops new products and is always looking to take on new projects in an eclectic range of fields. He works on large-scale design projects that blend technique and style, such as video production vans. He is a master of good sense and synthesis. With Alice, he also hopes to be able to use his imagination and expertise to create artistic installations that are always spectacular and that will enable the public to question the world around them.
David De Oliveira works in the family masonry business started by his father. After attending Notre Dame La Riche high school and gaining a baccalaureate in information technology and management, he decided to join his father, firstly as a labourer and then as a stonemason. At the same time, he joined the Junior Firefighters in central Tours in 2000 and became a volunteer firefighter there in 2003. Looking to progress, he decided to take the exams for professional firefighters, passing in 2005. He soon joined the fire service in the Department of Indre et Loire as a professional firefighter, where he has worked since September 2005 alongside his work as a stonemason.
The director of Serrault Jardins and a former top-level sportsman, Aurélien Serrault took up the baton of the family business in 2017. He grew up in the family business and developed a special love of this company. Every day he motivates his staff to design and create unique gardens.
