In 2020, renowned Dutch designer Piet Oudolf embarked on a transformative journey to create a new garden on the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany. With an area spanning 4000 square meters, this project is poised to revolutionize the campus landscape, offering visitors a unique experience of curated wilderness.

A Visionary Approach to Landscape Design

Piet Oudolf is a pioneer in the realm of garden design, challenging traditional practices and embracing a more naturalistic approach. Rejecting conventional notions of decorative gardening, Oudolf champions the use of perennial plants, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers to create harmonious compositions that evolve throughout the seasons.

Crafting a Sensory Experience

At the heart of Oudolf’s philosophy is the concept of creating gardens that engage all the senses and evoke a profound emotional response. His meticulous planning and careful selection of plants ensure that each garden offers a sensory journey, from the vibrant blooms of spring to the subtle decay of autumn.

Blurring the Lines Between Nature and Art

Oudolf’s designs blur the boundaries between art and nature, with each planting scheme resembling a work of art in itself. By carefully orchestrating the interplay of different plant species, Oudolf creates compositions that complement the surrounding architecture while imbuing it with new perspectives.

Embracing Organic Forms and Unpredictability

In Oudolf’s gardens, visitors are encouraged to lose themselves in the landscape, wandering along winding paths and discovering hidden corners. Rejecting strict geometric layouts, Oudolf embraces the organic forms of nature, creating spaces that inspire wonder and curiosity.

The Intersection of Botany and Theatre

For Oudolf, plants are not just decorative elements but dynamic personalities that play a role in the ever-changing drama of the garden. Drawing on his expertise as both a gardener and a theatre director, Oudolf orchestrates the unfolding narrative of his gardens, allowing them to grow, flourish, and decay over time.

As the planting activity on the Vitra Campus continues to evolve, Piet Oudolf’s vision for a curated wilderness promises to redefine our relationship with nature and art. With its harmonious blend of form, texture, and color, the garden invites visitors to immerse themselves in a world where beauty and impermanence intersect.