Work

The project reimagines the Lath House as a gateway honouring the impressive bonsai collection generously gifted by the John Birch Estate. Retaining the original footprint, the design establishes a strong visual and circulatory axis, guiding visitors through curated orchid and bonsai displays before culminating at the conservatory entrance.

The Lath House draws conceptual inspiration from the principles of bonsai cultivation, particularly fractal geometry, balance, and proportional harmony. Traditional bonsai ratios, such as the first branch emerging at one-third of a tree’s height, inform the structural rhythm of the building. Timber screens define the architectural envelope and filter sunlight to create layered shadow play reminiscent of forest canopies, while providing optimal conditions for delicate plant species to thrive. Light and shadow become active spatial elements, shifting throughout the day in response to the sun’s movement and reinforcing the immersive, temporal experience of the gardens.

The dynamic roof geometry results in each timber batten spanning across non-coplanar surfaces. The substructure was precisely engineered to accommodate the inherent flexibility of pine battens, allowing controlled torsion and curvature. This approach enables the battens to twist and bend within calculated tolerances, forming a complex, interwoven timber lattice.

Gently curving paths guide visitors through the flower and bonsai displays, fostering exploration and discovery. The paving design acts as both wayfinding and spatial storytelling - leading visitors toward the Lath House entrance before branching outward in organic patterns that further reinforce the fractal bonsai principles.

Material and colour selections echo the surrounding landscape. Warm red pavers reference the richness of the earth, while scattered grey tones introduce moments of playfulness, which together allow the architecture to blend seamlessly into its botanical context.

The renewed Lath House transforms a once-tired facility into a vibrant gateway - a synthesis of structure, landscape, and ecological narrative that celebrates plant culture, movement, and the rhythms of nature.