The Subaru Cocoon

Once covering 20% of the UK but now reduced to just 1%, temperate rainforests are one of the country’s most fragile and overlooked ecosystems. The Subaru Cocoon distills the essence of these landscapes, balancing naturalistic planting with a contemporary interpretation of the walled garden.

A perforated jali wall defines the space – enclosing yet open, structured yet porous. Crafted from K-Briq, a pioneering brick made from recycled building waste with just 5% of the embodied carbon of traditional bricks, it underscores the garden’s sustainable ethos. The bricks’ natural holes serve as insect hotels, offering sanctuary for pollinators, while lush planting in the top trough enhances biodiversity.

A reflective water threshold reimagines the garden door, leading to an elevated path that shifts perspectives. Planting weaves through the wall, softening its form, echoing the untamed beauty of the rainforest. A restrained seating area invites quiet contemplation. The furniture, sculpted from recycled paper, continues the garden’s material honesty. Meanwhile, a palette of flowering plants enriches the ecosystem, drawing pollinators and sustaining local wildlife.

At a glance:

Who would use this garden?
A professional couple.
Where is the garden set?
Located in the temperate zone in the west of the UK in a rural setting.