The Hampden Stargardt Garden

The garden is designed as a sensory healing space for a visually impaired person, with the calming sound of running water and the scent of plants creating the feeling of being immersed in nature. The theme is one of drama – contrasting light and dark, as well as emotional calm.

The focal point is the vertical blackened ash water feature, inspired by the loss of sight in the central vision of someone with Stargardt disease.

The Hampshire countryside and the strikingly differing colours in the heartwood of stripped yew is also an inspiration, as are the yew trunk seats, smooth and silky to the touch.

Ash planters, preserved using the traditional wood burning Japanese technique of yakisugi, coordinate with the blackened water feature to provide contrast with the soft, light and airy planting, interspersed with apricot, lilac white/cream and burgundy tones, mirroring the colours in the yew.