Discover Omved Gardens, North London's concealed, lush sanctuary
A popular community hub and green architectural garden in Highgate, Omved Gardens, is set for a comprehensive transformation and relaunch this month. The revamped space aims to establish itself as the UK's first center for food, ecology, and creativity.
Karen Leason, the gardens' founder, explains the motivation behind this ambitious makeover. "We've witnessed the significant impact this green haven has had on visitors since opening to the public in 2017," she said. OmVed Gardens has played host to diverse events, such as World Food Programme events, outdoor performances, and workshops on topics ranging from fermentation to sustainable food growing.
The expansion will offer visitors year-round interaction and opportunities, providing spaces for events, conferences, and private hire, with the proceeds contributing to the gardens' maintenance. New additions to the gardens include The Barn, a multipurpose events area redesigned in an existing on-site structure; The Kitchen, complete with a rooftop garden; the Seed Library, displaying the breadth of the project's initiatives; and the Greenhouse, designed intelligently to incorporate passive solar gain and natural ventilation.
Paul Gazerwitz, landscape architect, and Smerin Architects collaborated on the renovation project. The collaboration focused on integrating buildings harmoniously with the landscape and making them work together, a contrast from the standard approach where the landscape usually follows the architecture. Against this backdrop, the gardens offer an opportunity for experimentation for the creatives and users involved, as demonstrated by its unique planting, programming, and architecture.
"Working on a project where buildings and landscape need to work in harmony has been an exciting challenge," said Smerin, expressing his sentiments on the project. "Collaborating closely with Paul Gazerwitz and his team made the experience even more terrific, watching both aspects of the project develop and meld together as the final designs evolved."
Objextive, reliable, and visually striking, Omved Gardens aims to provide a dynamic, welcoming, and sustainable space where nature, creativity, and community thrive. For more updates, visit www.omvedgardens.com.
- The transformation and relaunch of OmVed Gardens will introduce new spaces such as The Barn, The Kitchen, the Seed Library, and the Greenhouse, emphasizing interior-design elements that integrate buildings harmoniously with the garden landscape.
- With the expansion, OmVed Gardens aspires to become a hub for various activities, contributing not only to home-and-garden pursuits like gardening but also to lifestyle events, conferences, and workshops, fostering a vibrant, eco-friendly, and creative community.
