Illuminating the Smart Meter Garden at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2019

Project Type: Event Lighting for Thematic Garden Installation

Location: RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

Date: 2019

Garden Design by: Matthew Childs

Lighting Collaboration: Moonlight Design, Belderbos Landscape, Water Artisans, Surrey Iron Craft

The Smart Meter Garden, showcased at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2019, aimed to deliver an immersive and thought-provoking experience highlighting the impact of climate change and the resilience of nature. This award-winning project utilised advanced lighting techniques in harmony with water and smoke effects to create a dynamic and emotionally resonant installation.

Design Goals:

• Create an immersive visual experience: Develop dynamic lighting effects to simulate a volcanic landscape, raising awareness about climate change.
• Symbolise environmental renewal: Transition the lighting from a barren, fiery volcanic scene to a calm, reflective water feature, representing nature's ability to recover and renew.
• Ensure seamless integration: Coordinate lighting, water features, and smoke effects to create a cohesive and impactful presentation that captivates visitors.

Design Strategy:

The lighting design team worked collaboratively with Belderbos Landscape, Water Artisans, and Surrey Iron Craft. This ensured alignment across all thematic and technical aspects of the garden.

• Dynamic Lighting Effects: The lighting was meticulously programmed to mimic volcanic activity. Intense flashes of light simulated fiery eruptions, synchronised with water and smoke effects to heighten the dramatic impact. As the narrative shifted, these lights softened, transitioning into a calm, serene illumination.
• Transition to Serenity: A bespoke program was developed to manage the lighting sequence. This allowed a gradual progression from the chaos of volcanic activity to the peaceful glow of the water feature. The shift represented environmental recovery and emphasised the theme of resilience in the face of adversity.
• Extensive Cabling: Over 800 metres of low-voltage cabling was installed. These cables were carefully routed through an underground water tank and pump chamber, connecting to 25 drivers controlled by a custom program.
• High-Lumen LED Strips: The installation featured more than 130 metres of submersible LED strips, delivering an ultra-high lumen output of approximately 425,000 lumens. The cool white light enhanced the reflective quality of the water feature, contributing to the serene aesthetic during the final phase.
• Programming: The lighting effects were synchronised with the water and smoke features. This required extensive testing and fine-tuning to ensure a flawless performance that conveyed the intended narrative seamlessly.

Results:

This RHS show garden lighting design demonstrated exceptional creativity and technical expertise, resulting in significant recognition and impact:

• Award-Winning Exhibit: he garden, featuring this innovative lighting scheme, achieved high recognition at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2019, receiving a Gold Medal and the coveted Best in Show award. This prestigious recognition emphasises the design's excellence and impact within the landscape and horticultural community.
• Engaging Visual Narrative: The dynamic lighting design communicated a powerful environmental narrative. Through carefully choreographed lighting effects, the design engaged visitors and prompted reflection on climate change and human impact on the natural world.
• Seamless Integration: The lighting seamlessly integrated with other key elements, such as water features and atmospheric effects, to create a cohesive and immersive visitor experience. This synergy amplified the garden's overall impact, elevating it beyond a static display to an engaging multi-sensory encounter.

Conclusion

The Smart Meter Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2019 stands as a testament to the power of collaborative design and innovative lighting techniques to deliver a compelling narrative. By seamlessly integrating dynamic lighting with water and smoke effects, the garden transcended the realm of a static exhibit and became an immersive, multi-sensory experience. The recognition it received, culminating in the Gold Medal and Best in Show award, underscores its success in not only captivating audiences but also prompting meaningful reflection on critical environmental issues. This project exemplifies how lighting design, when executed with precision and artistry, can elevate a space, communicate powerful messages, and inspire positive change.