loose leaf studio takes over a disused petrol station with botanical installation

using hundreds of giant leaves, wona bae and charlie lawler – otherwise known as loose leaf studio – have created a sculpture entitled ‘fossil’ to consume a former petrol station located in melbourne, australia. the botanical installation, which has been captured by photographer sean fennessy, explores the role of nature and its interaction with the built environment.

all images © sean fennessy

much like their previous work, which took over a former 19th century church hall, this new project by loose leaf uses natural materials to celebrate the connection between people and nature. by enveloping the disused structure where the pumps once stood, ‘fossil’ intends to respond both to the historical context and current state of the site, allowing the natural form of the leaves to slowly colonize the space before it. by consuming the man-made construction, the artists highlight the importance of nature and offer a glimpse of an urban environment taken over by vegetation. 

hundreds of giant leaves have been used for the installation

loose leaf studio’s design approach follows a line of botanical enquiry that draws conceptually from the structure, patterns and systems in the natural world. exploring the intrinsic relationship between humans and nature in the hopes to better understand the importance of the human-nature relationship. by facilitating a meaningful reconnection with natural systems, the artists hope this bond can be both preserved and respected.

the leaves envelop the existing structure of the petrol station 

the studio uses natural materials for the ‘fossil’ installation 

the artists wona bae and charlie lawler

the work explores the role of nature and its interaction with the built environment

project info:

project name: ‘fossil’

project location: melbourne, australia

artists: loose leaf (wona bae and charlie lawler)

photography: sean fennessy

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom