2011 edition - Gardens of the future or the art of happy biodiversity

21. Le jardin des marées

published at 07/11/2017

"Le jardin des marées", Festival des Jardins 2011 - © DR

This garden evokes the hidden and neglected beauty of undersea gardens, gardens of the future to be preserved.

“Through this project, I am trying to tell the story of the seas, a story which might be lost to future generations. Today, seas form an essential element of life on earth. They produce the majority of oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and they provide a home for millions of species, many of which form part of our food chain.” Sarah Foque

Nowadays, the seas are seriously under threat due to over-fishing, climate change, acidification and pollution. As the majority of this marvellous world is hidden under water, we do not realise the impact of our actions or what we are about to lose if we do not change the way we behave.

The aim of this project is to celebrate the biodiversity in this hidden world and the relationship which it fosters with dry land. The design of the garden shows four images of four types of environment, so as to represent their relationships and stress the importance of the sea in this life chain. In the centre of the garden there is an aquatic structure of salt water, showing the coloured and hidden undersea world which takes its inspiration from reefs, sea anemones, shellfish and many other mysterious marine creatures. This aquatic structure is directly linked to an area of saltwater marsh, which will be flooded twice a day by the water from the aquatic structure, showing the close relationship between sea and land.

designers

Sarah FOQUE, landscape architect and artist, AQUARIUM ARCHITECTURE -Roland HORNE, Jeremy CLARK, Jos GIBSON and Olly HURST- and Stan VAN DER LAAN, landscape contractor

GREAT-BRITAIN

From left to right: Sarah Foque, Roland Horne, Jeremy Clark, Jos Gibson, Olly Hurst and Stan Van Der Laan

Sarah Foque is an freelance landscape architect and Artist based in London. She has worked and exhibited in various countries, before setting herself up as a freelance landscape architect in London. Her work as a landscape architect and artist is inspired by the link between people and the landscapes they inhabit. As an artist she researches this link and as a designer she aims to create unique designs which aim to enhance this link and provide landscapes as a platform for human interaction. Currently she is working on urban regeneration schemes in East London. Other works include the Lodge Grounds, North Berwick, Scotland (as part of DCA associates) and the Community park Overbos, Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands (as landscape architect for the Council of Haarlemmermeer)

Aquarium Architecture are specialists in international aquarium design, installation and maintenance. With offices in Europe and America, and operatives based across the globe, Aquarium Architecture can operate internationally within short time frames. Each aquarium installation is bespoke, ensuring both a personal and professional service is delivered. Aquarium Architecture prides itself on their depth of knowledge, quality of service and a tailored approach to aquarium design. Providing an extensive variety of services, Aquarium Architecture has cemented its position as the industry leader in bespoke aquarium design.

Roland Horne is co-founding partner at Aquarium Architecture after originally starting the company in London, England. A background in business, and BA in Economics and a Masters from the London School of Economics, Roland runs the business and design ends of the business. Prior to founding Aquarium Architecture, Roland was a keen aquarium hobbyist for 15 years, mainly in salt water marine environments.

Jeremy Clark is co-founding partner at Aquarium Architecture. Prior to his venture into aquarium design, Jeremy specialised in chemistry and physics having studied at prestigious school Uppingham. Upon moving to London, Jeremy worked in the City for a number of years before starting out on his own. Jeremy's role within the company focuses upon Operations, overseeing two teams of installation and maintenance operatives throughout Europe.

Jos Gibson is a creative assistant at Aquarium Architecture. An Architecture graduate of the University of Newcastle, Jos is the engine behind most technical aquarium and aqua design at the firm and is based in London. Jos also comes from a freshwater background having been a keen hobbyist in his youth.

Olly Hurst is a Aquarium Architecture's freshwater specialist. Having previously worked in the retail side of the aquatic industry, Olly offers practical solutions to Aquarium Architecture's large aquatic installations, both residential and landscape. Olly enjoys rugby, golf and poetry in his spare time.

Stan Van Der Laan is a landscape contractor and owner of Stan van der Laan Groenvoorziening. He currently works as project manager for the council of Haarlemmermeer whilst running his own business, Stan van der Laan Groenvoorziening. He has around 25 years experience of design, project management and the realisation of gardens. He and Sarah worked together in the Netherlands on various green projects for the Council of Haarlemmermeer, including a large community park.

designers

THE GARDEN'S PLANTS