Research at The Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden

The museum, through the Public Practice team, supports the residents by providing a physical space in the garden, help with the maintenance of the necessary infrastructure thanks to the volunteer cohort, opportunities for public and community engagement and public programming and access to exhibitions and events.

As part of Future Observatory’s 2023/24 'Design Researchers in Residence' Programme, design researcher Eliza Collin and artist/farmer duo Aterraterra developed a planting scheme in a plot of the Dame Sylvia Crowe Garden, with the support of the Growing Together volunteers.

The plot features a selected group of plant species, some of which change their scent when they are exposed to air pollution and dramatic changes in seasonal weather patterns. When a plant changes its scent, this can have a negative impact on its relationship with pollinators and put it at risk of extension.

By planting these flowers together with plants that do not change their scent, the plot was designed to encourage hybridization. This is a process where two different species mix to produce a new hybrid plant which may be more resilient to changing climates.

As part of her residency, Eliza facilitated a public talk and workshop exploring the links between plant scent, pollination and climate change.

Could fashion in the future help make soil healthier and more fertile? This project envisions cities as living systems, where fashion waste becomes part of daily environmental care.

Led by regenerative designer Bonnie Carr, the research explores how creating systems that help nature grow and heal starts with considering all living things, not just humans. Samples of natural fabrics made from materials like plants, algae, seaweed, mushrooms and even bacteria were buried in wooden containers designed by Charlie Whinney Studio. Biodegradable materials are reshaping luxury, ready-to-wear and sports apparel. As they break down, they enrich the soil, storing carbon and promoting biodiversity.

As part of her residency, Bonnie joined Anciela’s Creative Director Jennifer Droguett in a public conversation discussing regenerative practices in fashion design.

Our clothes are often coloured with synthetic dyes. These require huge amounts of energy and water to make and can result in chemicals being discharged into water systems. Instead, this project led by tutors and students from the Royal College of Art explores sustainable plant-based dyes. In raised beds, they have been planting and nurturing indigo, madder, marigold and others, which produce shades of blue, pink and yellow.

Natural dyes have been used across the world for millennia, each region using different local plants. As part of community life, the knowledge of how to nurture the soil used to produce these dyes has been passed down from generation to generation.

Growing Colour Garden aims to help the students at the Royal College of Art and museum visitors connect their creative practice to the natural world and to human history. The dyes produced with the plants are used in multiple textile design experiments, including a workshop for people with dementia and their carers.

If you have any questions regarding research at the garden, please get in touch with the team at publicpractice@designmuseum.org.