Mél-usine au jardin - Lausanne Jardins 24

The landscape installation "Mél-usine au jardin" forms part of the 2024 edition of Lausanne Jardins, a quinquennial cultural festival that celebrates landscape architecture as a way to transform, enliven and develop the city.

Mél-usine au Jardin serves as a testing ground to explore the relationship between industry, water, soil and plants, utilising the principles of phytoremediation to absorb and break down environmental pollutants present in Lac Léman and its surrounding areas. Our project showcases how performative landscapes closely integrate environmental considerations with user experience.

The project integrates principles of phytoremediation and phytomining, utilising native Swiss ruderal flora to absorb and break down pollutants from soil, water, and air. These plants also function as vital pollinators and larval host species, supporting local ecosystems.

Positioned on sediment and gravel mounds, the plants symbolise the phytoremediation process while celebrating the beauty and diversity of native Swiss flora. This approach promotes biodiversity and reintroduces nature into the urban landscape, creating an ecological and educational focal point.

The project offers an interactive experience, celebrating the transformative power of water. By irrigating the site, it activates and regenerates a monofunctional urban space, fostering the local ecosystem while mitigating pollution from Lac Léman.