Multi-disciplinary arts venue SWG3 has revealed that the first phase of plans to transform a stretch of derelict land into a new community garden will be completed this week.
Situated behind its main warehouse building, 3,200 square metres of wasteland has been redesigned in consultation with neighbours, resident artists, staff and the local community.
After being registered by the city’s council as being derelict for over two decades, the land is being remodeled into a shared space for the community.
The garden’s development has been led by horticultural and design specialist Jeremy Needham. Since The New York Times’ Climate Hub was hosted at the venue during COP26, he has been looking after a miniature forest of indigenous plants and trees, donated by the global institution following an installation in SWG3’s Galvanizers space by artist Es Devlin.
An outdoor terrace beneath the Warehouse windows has also been built, featuring a sculpture designed by Scottish artist Jaqueline Donachie. Initially created for Glasgow International 2021, it explores the relationship between built environments and the different types of bodies accessing them.
Access times to the garden will be published on the SWG3 website and from next spring it will be open daily, all year round.
In collaboration with sustainable food collective Propagate, SWG3 held workshops and did surveys to gather ideas and information on plans for the outdoor space.
Across the rest of the year, work will begin on bespoke seating, food production beds, a sheltered gathering space and a woodland walkway.
The project has been made possible thanks to £511,037 of funding from a combination of funders, including the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, and the VKR Foundation.
The VKR Foundation was set up by and is owned by the VKR Holding, which in turn owns the Velux Group.
Richard Williams, business development manager at Velux, said: “It’s a privilege for Velux to be part of this project, which will provide the local community with much needed green space and somewhere to come together.
“Myself and 15 colleagues from our regional office, are looking forward to getting stuck in and planting some trees and helping this worthy initiative.”
Andrew Fleming-Brown, managing director of SWG3, added: “The Garden is an integral part of our vision in creating a truly world class cultural and circular campus, as well as an exciting way for SWG3 to become even more involved with our local community.”
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