Britain is one of the most significant markets for cut flowers, with billions of stems consumed every year. This project investigates the potential of flowers as a building material, proposing a flower arranging school and plant waste recycling workshop along the southern boundary of the popular Chelsea Physic Garden. At the moment this historic garden, created in 1673, is surrounded by a high, heat-trapping brick wall that supposedly creates a microclimate conducive to plant growth.

The project questions the validity of this claim, instead proposing a replacement for the southern wall using a timber frame and organic building materials made from recycled plant waste. This new building revolves around the fabrication of plant fibre panels that go through a cycle of growth and decay, mirroring the changing seasons. In doing so it builds upon the initial project this year, which tested how to recycle discarded newspapers as a construction material.

The design also investigates passive environmental techniques that can use seasonal weather conditions to create unique sensory experiences. As such, the building will transfer the natural smells from selected plants, introducing floral scents during the various seasons into its interior spaces.