IKEA and Tom Dixon Are Out to Prove Urban Gardening Can be Beautiful and Functional

The Farmers Almanac tells us what to plant in our gardens and the best times to place seeds in the soil, but the urban gardening collaboration between Tom Dixon and IKEA asks us to reconsider where and how we put our green thumbs to work in order to yield results that prioritize our health and the environment. The British designer and the home goods brand recently brought the experimental project named Gardening Will Save the World to life at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

The concept showcases the impact of sustainable gardening at home as a way of encouraging people to take a more eco-conscious approach to the way we produce food. The installation is comprised of a pair of gardening areas situated on a two-level platform: the lower one enclosed and outfitted with controllable lighting and a hydroponic system; the other featuring a raised garden where visitors can explore up close.

Of the project, Dixon said, “As part of the Chelsea Flower Show, we have designed and realized an experimental model for growing plants in the urban environment. Aiming to give back to cities and create productive landscapes within urban zones, the garden includes a raised modular landscape with edible and medicinal plants.”

Along the with the urban garden installation, the show also featured an exclusive look at the IKEA and Tom Dixon range prototype, set to hit the market in 2021. While the exhibition ended on May 25, that’s the just the beginning of the urban garden. After the close of the show, the garden will be donated to charity Participatory City, which will then reinstall the garden and oversee related projects for a month, beginning in late June. The garden will remain in place in the area for at least three years, while the surrounding area prepares to undergo regeneration.