tom dixon + IKEA's experimental garden for urban farming opens during chelsea flower show

during the RHS chelsea flower show 2019, which opens next week, 21 may, design research studio, tom dixon‘s in-house design and innovations agency, and IKEA will present an experimental model for growing plants in the urban environment (see previous coverage here). titled gardening will save the world, the project comprises a garden divided in two levels that together explore the contrast of the hyper-natural and hyper-technological, imagining the future of urban farming.

all images courtesy of tom dixon

tom dixon and IKEA’s garden is created to demonstrate the methods people can adopt to grow food at home while reducing food waste, as well as communicate the beauty and functional importance of horticulture, through both traditional knowledge and the latest technological innovations. gardening will save the world is divided in two levels: the raised garden, which immerses visitors in a botanic oasis comprising a canopy-like ecosystem of trees, flowers and plants with medicinal, health and environmental benefits; and the base garden, a horticultural laboratory where hydroponic technology is implemented to grow hyper-natural edibles.

‘as part of the chelsea flower show, we have designed and realized an experimental model for growing plants in the urban environment,’ tom dixon notes. ‘aiming to give back to cities and create productive landscapes within urban zones, the garden includes a raised modular landscape with edible and medicinal plants and an enclosed based garden fuelled by hydroponic systems and controllable lighting.’

project info:

name: gardening will save the world

designers: tom dixon design reasearch studio, IKEA

location: RHS chelsea flower show

duration: 21 may 2019 – 25 may 2019