ulf mejergren crafts picnic hut from thousands of dandelions

ulf mejergren’s ‘dandelion hut’: a scenic picnic backdrop

Ulf Mejergren expands his Farm Art series with Dandelion Hut — a scenic installation crafted from thousands of hand-picked flowers. Combining his artistic flair with the extensive agricultural know-how of local Swedish farmer Robert Pettersson, the architect has composed the hut from an array dandelions to create a picturesque backdrop and tranquil shelter for picnic-goers.

For this project, the design duo drew inspiration from ‘a glittering ocean, where the only thing missing was the sun.’ With the aim to recreate the allure of a sunset, they crafted a vivid backdrop for picnics and other outdoor activities. Their vision materialized through two large metal circles clad with a robust metal net, leaning towards each other. The main sun, represented by the larger circle, stands upright, as if completing the natural horizon. The structure is then punctuated with dandelions, their yellow and orange hues emulating the glistening horizon.

Dandelion Hut | all images courtesy of Ulf Mejergren

yellow hues recall the sun setting over the ocean

Ulf Mejergren and Robert Pettersson have embarked upon a year-long venture to combine their distinct expertise and artistic vision to build various projects on the Pettersson’s land, including a moss hut that serves as a feeding point for wild boars. The projects leverage the farmer’s knowledge on crop cultivation, forestry, livestock management, and hunting — all of which are infused with the bold creative interventions of architect and artist Mejergren.

For Dandelion Hut, the duo constructed the initial metal frame and delved into three days of meticulous dandelion picking. To ensure the installation’s vitality, the flowers had to be replaced daily as they quickly withered, despite being replenished with a water spray. These wilted flowers, however, exuded an intense orange hue which added depth and vibrancy to the overall composition. As the stems formed walls and a roof on the inside of the structure, the interior space became a cool retreat providing ample shade for friends and families to comfortably gather in.

the project sits in an expansive field where a dandelion invasion occurs every late spring

‘Farming life can be tough but it also offers a strong and rewarding relationship with the earth and in between work shifts of hard labor there can also be times for enjoyment, especially in summers when days are longer and the weather pleasant,’ notes Ulf Mejergren. Utilizing this opportunity, the creators chose to site the project in an expansive field where a massive dandelion invasion occurs every late spring — a striking sight where these notorious weeds grow tall in impressive numbers.

the stems form walls and a roof on the inside of the structure

a cool retreat providing ample shade for a comfortable gathering

a smaller disc supports the larger one at the installation’s rear

the hand-picked flowers are replaced daily as they wither

project info:

name: Dandelion Hut
designer: Ulf Mejergren

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: ravail khan | designboom