Field Garden Landscape Renovation

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Two of the 60-year-old Litchi chinensis were preserved and relocated to the main entrance of the abandoned fruit farm, serving as a symbolic representation of the new space. The original farmland was transformed into a community garden, providing leisure and recreational activities to the community in the nearby neighborhood. In the garden, a rainwater recycling system was incorporated and an space was especially designed for children to observe the ecology and the food forest.

Dimensions & Packaging

Design area: 2,045 square meters

Tags

edible garden, community garden, agricultural landscape, agricultural natural ecology

Production Technology

After conducting environmental simulation analysis using Envi-met for the existing natural factors such as climate, wind patterns, and sunlight at the site, the designer introduced suitable native vegetation to the local environment. Apart from creating comfortable activity spaces, the design also incorporates terrain variations to mitigate noise, retain rainwater, and provide protection against strong winter winds.

Design Challenge

The utilization of vegetation serves to ameliorate the harsh climate in winter and establish a pleasant outdoor microclimate, effectively mitigating the heat island effect in the city within this area. In addition, reducing the size of the developed area preserves significant portions of prime land, allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate through the original soil. Furthermore, the implementation of small underground reservoirs ensures the continuous water conservation during the drought period, resulting from the insufficient rainfall in winter.

Research

The diverse and native vegetation cultivates an ecological habitat brimming with vitality, promoting a friendly environment for biodiversity. The application of large amount of greenery establishes connections among the belt-shape agricultural area in the surroundings, creating the comprehensive habitats by fostering increased migration and habitat opportunities for various animals and living creatures. As a result, the overall biodiversity of the agricultural areas can be greatly improved.

Inspiration

With the rapid urban expansion, the urbanization of cities has expanded to the rural areas. The original fruit farm in the same location has been abandoned and the farming activities has stopped for a long time, leaving a lot of withered fruit trees and exposed soil on site. The environmental conditions were deteriorating day by day, posing a challenge to the current project, which aims to create a symbiotic and integrated relationship between people and the agricultural ecological environment in this garden.

Project Duration

The project began in January 2021 in Mt. DaDu in Taichung City, Taiwan, and was successfully completed in February 2023.

Operation Flow

Based on the theme of the adventures of Dorothy and her three friends (the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow) in the fairy tale "The Wizard of Oz," the design transforms the field spaces into an environment that is both functional and enjoyable. The design concepts, which are inspired by the themes of the encounters in the forest the explorations in the forests, aim to encompasses elements of spiritual healing, courage, and physical strength. Ultimately, it aims to create a joyful and welcoming space. The design incorporates a small edible forest and an area for sports and recreational activities. This space encourages the interaction between parents and children in the neighborhood by integrating fun games in the playground and facilitating daily communication in the community.

Image Credits

IMAGE CREDITS:
Millet Design Co., Ltd.
Jeou Tarng Estate Co., Ltd.