Lausanne Jardins 2024 - Mel-usine au jardin

A testing ground to explore the relationship between industry, water, soil and plants.

Aerial view of circular installations with gravel and grass near a waterfront path.

The temporary landscape installation "Mél-usine au jardin" forms part of the 2024 edition of Lausanne Jardins, a quinquennial cultural festival that celebrates landscape architecture as a way to transform, enliven and develop the city.

Mél-usine au Jardin serves as a testing ground to explore the relationship between industry, water, soil and plants, utilising the principles of phytoremediation to absorb and break down environmental pollutants present in Lac Léman and its surrounding areas. Our project showcases how performative landscapes closely integrate environmental considerations with user experience.

Outdoor structure with metal poles, gravel mounds, wooden steps, and people; green trees and cloudy sky in background.
Person inspecting outdoor water pipes over gravel piles with trees in the background.

The project integrates principles of phytoremediation and phytomining, utilising native Swiss ruderal flora to absorb and break down pollutants from soil, water, and air. These plants also function as vital pollinators and larval host species, supporting local ecosystems.

Positioned on sediment and gravel mounds, the plants symbolise the phytoremediation process while celebrating the beauty and diversity of native Swiss flora. This approach promotes biodiversity and reintroduces nature into the urban landscape, creating an ecological and educational focal point.

Silhouettes of various plant species labeled with their scientific names and associated chemical elements. Plants include Helianthus annuus, Solidago virgaurea, Brassica napus, among others, paired with elements like Chromium, Zinc, Lead, and Selenium.
Two people looking at an outdoor installation with metal poles and a sign about a garden project.

Throughout the festival, the installation offers an interactive experience, celebrating the transformative power of water. By irrigating the site, it activates and regenerates a monofunctional urban space, fostering the local ecosystem while mitigating pollution from Lac Léman.

Location_Lausanne, Switzerland
Client_Association Jardin Urbain (AJU)
Type_Cultural, Public Realm
Size_850m2
Status_Completed, 2024
©KollektiveLand, Gunther Galligioni, Camille Delegue, Martin Koenig
Image #2 ©Michael Hartwell, Image #4 ©Marie Alleaume