Sanctum Garden

Sonja Kalkschmidt's move from architecture to garden design followed a natural path. Our relationship with Sonja goes back to studying at university. For the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Sonja, of Silva Barns Ltd, designed the Sanctum Garden, and our studio was brought in to develop her concept into detailed technical drawings, working in close collaboration with her and with the contractors to ensure a sensitive, minimalist approach to the bespoke detailing and a flawless delivery on site.

Sanctum offers an oasis amid the chaos of contemporary life, a tranquil refuge from the relentless digital overload and hectic pace of corporate life. At its centre stands a striking black charred wood pod, its dark form set in deliberate contrast against the lush green foliage around it. The garden highlights the importance of bringing natural elements into corporate environments, for a more balanced, health conscious atmosphere at work.

Conceived for a corporate setting in London with limited sun, the garden gives employees a place to step away from technology and reconnect with nature, its design rooted in a growing awareness of mental health and wellbeing at work.

Sustainability ran through the garden's material choices, from peat free compost to the charred wood itself, a thermally treated timber from fast growing radiata pine, chosen for its high durability and treated without the use of chemicals.

Sanctum was awarded a Gold Medal in the Container Garden category at RHS Chelsea 2024, a fitting way for Sonja to mark the show's particular mix of innovation, collaboration and celebration.