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RMIT Dye Garden
The client expressed a desire for a sustainable food producing garden that could grow plants used for traditional dyeing of clothing. This garden is located at the Brunswick Campus. The aim was to explore the potential of cultivating indigenous and exotic plants for materials and natural colours used in the colouring of clothing
Form
The garden space set out over two areas of the Brunswick Campus uses a mixture of wicking beds made from recycled cypress pine timber sleepers and recycled plastic modular planters (Vegepod Planters). The other section of the garden demonstrates the use and importance of composting with a timber recycled cypress pine composting bin. A hanging rack also sits proud in the garden as a useful place to hang plants once cultivated for drying purposes.
About the project
This garden space has been designed to grow and harvest plants used in the dyeing of clothing. Plants commonly used (both native and exotoc) were used throughout the garden to demonstrate to students and the public what varieties work well and how they can be sustainably grown. The garden also serves as an outdoor education resource along with a working garden for plants used by students and fashion designers.
Impact
This project creates human and social capital through the correct use of space and plant use. Creates a cooling effect and clean air for users of the building. Creates a relaxed learning environment
Benefits
"This was a fantastic project to work on as it explored and highlighted the use of plants commonly used in the fashion industry well before synthetics become mainstream. Not only did it showcase the uses of these species but also highlighted the environmental issues associuated with using synthetic dyes."
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Creating Green Oases in Urban Settings
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