Abbey Jardine
October 31st, 2008
Abbey Gardens is getting a little international recognition.
Chérif Hanna who teaches a group of 24 architecture students in Nantes France came to visit the garden on a field trip to the UK. The group is interested in urban developments that are outside the urban centres and want to understand how future housing developments can be inclusive and designed in participatory ways that involve residence directly in the shaping of their environment.
Abbey gardens – though not a housing development – is off interest because of the approach taken to build an active local community. The fact that the surrounding areas are earmarked for development (e.g. Abbey House) makes the garden an interesting case study – so it seemed. Nina and I were a bit worried the they came all the way just to look at a piece of green grass . . . Lets hope they come back next year to do some gardening with us.
Spot the artist – (presenting the scheme)