The search among the architecturally articulate for texture in the plant world has lately led to moss. ‘If you look to Japan, there is a long, artful, intelligent history of gardening using moss,’ says John Tebbs, editor of biannual publication Pleasure Garden. ‘We so often seem to be fighting it, but I love to see moss embraced more in the context of a natural garden.’
Meanwhile, London-based designer Pete Pongsak, of Archive & Archive, explores the trainability of moss in his new series of sculptural outdoor planters. Like Tebbs, he was inspired by Japan, taking the grassy/moss element of bonsai displays (shitakusa) and isolating it so that focus can be thrown entirely on the colours, textures and shapes of moss. ‘My planters don’t need soil, only a rough surface to hold on to, so the depth of the planter can be removed from the equation.’ It’s time to still our stones and embrace moss appeal. §
As originally featured in the September 2018 issue of Wallpaper* (W*234), and shot inside London’s Royal Opera House, which has been newly reconfigured by Stanton Williams.