The Brief: The brief was to create a powerful and symbolic show garden for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, titled 'An Uprising of Kindness'. The garden was commissioned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Emmaus Charity, born from Abbé Pierre's famous 1954 radio call to the people of Paris: “My friends, come and help…”. The design had to embody the charity's core values of community and renewal, telling a story of hope and transformation.

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Our Design Solution: Our solution was a process of co-creation. In deep collaboration with Emmaus Cambridge and Cambridge College, the garden was designed and built with the charity's companions—those who have experienced homelessness. This approach turned the design process itself into an act of community-building and empowerment. The garden's layout and planting were designed to be a metaphor for the Emmaus journey, moving from a challenging, fragmented start to a unified, beautiful, and productive whole, reflecting the supportive structure the charity provides.

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The Outcome: 'An Uprising of Kindness' was a resounding success, earning a prestigious RHS Silver-Gilt medal, but its true legacy extends far beyond the flower show. After Hampton Court, the garden was permanently relocated to the Emmaus base in Cambridge, where it continues to serve the community as a living sanctuary for residents. This lasting impact proves that a well-designed space can be a catalyst for social impact, community pride, and a profound sense of shared achievement, perfectly embodying the spirit of Abbé Pierre's original call to action.