Glass garden pushes the boundaries of design

Glass as a design element within a garden will be explored by Metro GlassTech which has employed award-winning landscape designer Sandi MacRae to create a garden at this year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show.

'Casa de Vidro' will use glass as a structural and artistic element, to inspire and challenge Ellerslie International Flower Show visitors to think of glass as more than a window pane.

In the exhibition garden, Casa de Vidro, the team will use glass as a structural and artistic element, to inspire and challenge show visitors to think of glass as more than a window pane.

A clean-lined contemporary glasshouse will sit centre stage, says Owen Booth, project manager with Metro GlassTech. “We are excited about the opportunities it provides the company for team building, with many of our staff involved in construction of the garden.”

The unique glasshouse will have no framing, and with minimal components, will ensure a very clean look that maximises natural light.

”The glasshouse in this garden will not be used so much as a place to grow plants but will have a conservatory feel and will be surrounded by a meadow of soft whimsical grasses with bluish hues,” Sandi says. “Lancewoods will also be used for a strong structural element connecting the meadow with the contemporary structure.”

The garden will be dissected by paths made from fragmented glass, a new approach from Metro GlassTech made from toughened glass broken into fine pebble-like chips.

Another glass component will be a series of large orbs in various shades of blue, green and yellow scattered throughout the garden to act as accents and expressions of colour. These will also be available for purchase.

Unusually, visitors will be able to look right through the garden with angled side walls constructed from layers of triple-glazed glass panels. They will feature art by Christchurch artist and graphic designer Kara Burrowes. “We are thrilled to have Kara on board contributing critical design and artistic components,” Sandi says.

Owen says Metro GlassTech is having a lot of fun being involved in Ellerslie. “It is a challenge for us to think differently about glass, how it can be moulded, shaped and used in a different way to add a new dimension to the garden. We would not normally get an opportunity to explore the diversity of glass and display it to visitors in such an innovative and artistic way.”

Sandi has been involved in Ellerslie before, winning a silver distinction and a highly commended for construction in 2010 designing the Incredible Edibles garden.

Owen and Sandi are delighted with the team they have to create this garden and look forward to inspiring those who visit.

Ellerslie International Flower Show, North Hagley Park, 7 to 11 March 2012. For more information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz