Archipelago: A Coastal-Inspired Garden Masterpiece

ITLs' Show Garden Wins Iron at A' Design Award 2024

ITLs, a team of visionary designers, has recently garnered the prestigious Iron A' Design Award for their project, Archipelago, in the Landscape Planning and Garden Design category for 2024. This accolade celebrates the project's practicality, innovation, and adherence to professional standards. The Archipelago show garden, a highlight of the Suncheon International Garden Fair, is a testament to the seamless integration of technology and nature, offering a unique experience that resonates with the fair's theme of coastal scenery.

The inspiration for Archipelago stemmed from the picturesque South Sea of South Korea. ITLs employed sand as a mutable medium to create a conceptual model that reflects the region's topography. This initial step was crucial in capturing the organic forms and irregular lines characteristic of coastal landscapes. The team's dedication to authenticity and detail is evident in their meticulous approach to design and realization.

Archipelago's design process is a marvel of modern technology, utilizing 3D laser scanning and precision laser CNC processing to translate the sand model into a physical form. The use of a Leica RTC 360 scanner and sophisticated software tools like Cyclone, Rhino, and AutoCAD facilitated the creation of detailed contour lines, which were essential for the garden's construction. This innovative approach not only ensured accuracy but also allowed for the exploration of new forms and structures within the garden design.

Despite challenges in the field during assembly, the team's expertise in handling complex shapes cut with CNC technology ensured a successful realization of the design. The garden's interactive elements were designed to enhance the visitor's experience, focusing on the spatial arrangement and the individual forms that collectively create a sense of place. The result is an immersive environment that invites contemplation and appreciation of the intricate relationship between art and the natural world.

Archipelago's recognition at the A' Design Award is a significant achievement that underscores ITLs' commitment to pushing the boundaries of garden design. The project's duration, from September 2022 to March 2023, in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea, reflects a period of intense research, creativity, and technical precision. ITLs' collaborative efforts, involving team members Moohan Kim, Jinsoo Hong, Jongeun Yang, Sujung Lee, Hyobean Lee, and Younghyun Noh, have culminated in a design that not only meets industrial requirements but also provides a sense of fulfillment and contributes to a better world.

In conclusion, Archipelago is more than a show garden; it is a celebration of the harmony between human ingenuity and the natural beauty of South Korea's coastal regions. ITLs' award-winning project stands as a beacon of innovation in landscape architecture, inviting visitors and industry professionals alike to witness the transformative power of design.