Chetwoods designed the centrepiece of UN Biological Diversity conference in Kunming, China. The innovative ‘Future City Garden: Nature and City’ is a thought-provoking depiction of biodiversity through architectural and landscape design and was used to welcome delegates arriving at the conference centre building hosting COP 15. The entire garden was equivalent to over 10 of the largest ever displays at London’s world famous Chelsea Flower Show. The Future City Garden encapsulates COP 15’s ideals, using a representation of the Sun at its centre. Chetwoods used a hydrogen fuel cell to create this powerful symbol of life, with a surface made up of photovoltaic panels.
Redwood generated coverage in the UK and international architectural, design and environmental media for this innovative piece of work, as well as securing a profile piece for Laurie Chetwood linked to the COP 15 design in Building magazine. This helped to raise awareness of Laurie’s and the practice’s commitment to showcasing the ever-present influence of nature in architecture and design and raising wider concerns about the natural environment.