PERENNIAL LANDSCAPE

by Tom Simmons

This project aims to facilitate the stewardship of the Kilmahew Estate, just west of Glasgow. The site, a wooded glen that surrounds a river gorge, has a rich architectural history where ruins punctuate the wooded landscape. There is a surreal quality, where nature has reclaimed the ruined fabric of the buildings. Celebrating this atmosphere whilst addressing the current decline of the buildings, this project aims to introduce a horticultural school and flower nursery. The gardeners on site will become stewards, providing an approach to addressing the ruined architecture. Gardening conceptualises plants as having perennial moments of beauty before ultimate decay, it involves continuous care within the cycle of growth and decay and therefore provides an appropriate framework for approaching the existing architectural fabric. The steady maintenance of the site by the gardeners, will continue to strengthen its experiential qualities, maintaining its position as a destination for visitors seeking to wander its grounds. The scheme incorporates accommodation, teaching spaces, greenhouses, walled gardens and events spaces. Depending on their state of decay, parts of the existing built fabric is used as both a spatial amenity and as stock for materials. This approach embodies a manner of architectural gardening, creating a cycle of growth, use, decay and re-use. Architecture and foliage are considered one and the same; grown, cultivated and harvested by a co-operative of gardeners.