Heatherwick Space Garden

Millimetre were commissioned to fabricate and install a scale model of the Space Garden for Heatherwick Studios and Aurelia Institute. The sculptural model is part of Biennale Architettura 2025, curated by Carlo Ratti.

Based on thinking we need a visual language for space making space aspirational, human and beautiful. One that supports a symbiotic relationship with earth and nature.

Only a handful of plant species have been grown successfully in space. Based on a concept to expand this number Heatherwick studio designed the Space garden. It is designed as a habitat with 31 separate irrigated chambers with different environments for different species. Each of these chambers has an external window protected by a blast shield. These shields sit on telescopic arms to open for light and close to protect the plants.

This is the most ambitious scale sculptural model millimetre has completed to date. Using a combination of techniques we have had to apply advanced protoyping and fabrication to make this project happen.

The project required a variety of custom bent plywood cones, 7 axis machined sculptural bezels, rolled tubular sections, specialist joinery and 3d printed buds. We had to produce custom jigs and techniques for multiple components before we could start piecing the final sculpture together on its CNC cut plywood core.

The commission was made from plywood, tulip, 3d printing, led lights and we kept a keen focus on the reduction of wasteful materials throughout production.

Materials

Aero Ply

3d Printing

7 Axis Machined Bezels

Specialist Joinery

3D Printed Buds

Partners

Heatherwick studio

Aurelia Institute

Format Engineers

Photography: ©Glasshopper*