The European Commission’s ‘In Perspective’ garden – a sculptural pavilion, over 10 metres high, created out of a simple and sustainable latticework structure – has been awarded a gold medal in the show garden category at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park this morning. The garden also won best in category awards for ‘best concept garden’ and for ‘best planting’.
Designed for the European Commission by Oliver and Liat Schurmann, the garden articulates the values of the EU’s Green Deal, seeking to make Europe the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. With an overarching message that our climate is changing and we all have a role to play, the garden offers visitors a space to see things ‘in perspective’, to absorb the beauty of nature while considering the role we can all play to protect it.
Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said: “I want to congratulate Oliver and Liat Schurmann on their spectacular design. New thinking is continuously required for us to reach our net zero commitments. Every garden at Bloom has a purpose, and this European Commission garden will start new conversations about how we can all play our part to build a more sustainable future, protecting our precious environment, clean water, healthy soils and fresh air. I would encourage anyone visiting the Phoenix Park this Bank Holiday weekend to come and experience this for yourself.”
See video (by Jack Caffrey) where Oliver Schurmann explains the “In Perspective” garden and the thinking behind it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFoKklQtwmM&t=81s
The EU’s Green Deal
The European Commission’s ‘Green Deal’ represents an umbrella of actions that will transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where no person and no place will be left behind.
It requires transformational change, with a need to rethink policies from clean energy, to transport, production and food and agriculture – including the transformation of our living spaces and experiences.
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is a creative and interdisciplinary initiative that connects the European Green Deal to our living spaces and experiences. It aims to combine design, sustainability, accessibility, affordability and investment in order to help deliver the European Green Deal and the transition to net zero. It calls on all of us to imagine and build together a future that is sustainable, beautiful, and inclusive.
‘In Perspective’, the European Commission’s garden at Bloom
A must-see for visitors of all ages at this week’s Bloom is the European Commission’s ‘In Perspective’ garden, masterfully created by Liat and Oliver Schurmann.
The garden is a sculptural pavilion created out of a simple and sustainable latticework structure, which both sits within and encloses a landscape. Evocative of the earliest human settlements, but with a view towards the future, the garden emphasises our need to re-establish our connection with nature.
Featuring an accessible cloistered walkway, framing views of the external garden and a flooded internal courtyard, the centre of the garden comprises three islands and a planted landscape below the waterline. This internal scene gives visitors glimpses of both unspoilt and well-managed natural sites and time to think about our changing climate.
The garden offers visitors an opportunity to see things in perspective and to absorb the beauty of nature while considering the role we can all play in protecting it.
The designers, Oliver and Liat Schurmann, were also awarded a gold medal, Best In Category (large garden), and the People’s Choice Award at Bord Bia Bloom 2023.
About Bord Bia Bloom
Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food, and family festival, takes place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin from Thursday, 30 May to Monday, 3 June. A showcase of the very best of Ireland’s horticulture and food industry, the annual festival will once again feature a range of spectacular show gardens, over 100 Irish food and drink exhibitors, and family entertainment.
Celebrating its 18th year in 2024, Bord Bia Bloom now attracts over 100,000 visitors annually and has grown into Ireland’s favourite gardening and lifestyle festival. Tickets are on sale now on BordBiaBloom.com and don’t forget, two children (12 and under) go free with every paying adult. To stay up to date with plans for the 2024 festival, sign up to the Bloom ezine at BordBiaBloom.com and follow them on social media @BordBiaBloom #bordbiabloom
