Glasgow art venue SWG3 is set to turn some derelict land into an urban garden.
Organisers have revealed that the first phase in the transformation is set to be completed this week, with 3,200m² of wasteland redesigned in consultation with neighbours, resident artists, staff and the wider local community. The area, which is behind the main SWG3 warehouse, has been registered by the city’s council as being derelict for over two decades.
Access times to the garden will be published to the SWG3's website and from next spring the garden will be open all year round for the community to enjoy.
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A miniature forest of indigenous plants and trees as well as a spacious outdoor terrace, complete with a sculpture designed by award-winning Scottish artist Jaqueline Donachie, have been installed, with the garden's development being led by horticultural and design expert Jeremy Needham.
Andrew Fleming-Brown, MD of SWG3, said: "We're delighted to be able to reveal our plans for The Garden. It's an integral part of our vision in creating a truly world class cultural and circular campus, as well as an exciting way for SWG3 to become even more involved in our local community.
"As a project, The Garden holds so much potential to collaborate, learn and create and we can't wait to welcome visitors later in the year."
In collaboration with sustainable food collective Propagate , SWG3 have held an intensive consultation process. Through surveys, canvassing, workshops and a garden party held in the grounds, an incredible amount of information and ideas have been gathered on everything from bees to biodiversity, walkways to wildfires.
Across the rest of the year work will begin on bringing to life the plans for the rest of the space which include; bespoke seating, growing and food production beds, a sheltered gathering space, sensory planting area and a woodland walkway.As well as addressing a known demand for public greenspace and growing space in the area, The Garden is a key part in SWG3’s vision for the future, which includes the site going completely net-zero.
An ambitious plan, the SWG3 vision will unlock not only the potential of the SWG3 site and its people, but also the surrounding areas and beyond, using arts, creativity and nature to help tackle poverty and climate change.
Richard Williams, Business Development Manager at VELUX, said: "It's a privilege for VELUX to be part of this project, which will provide the local community with much needed green space and somewhere to come together. Myself and fifteen colleagues from our regional office, are looking forward to getting stuck in and planting some trees and helping this worthy initiative."
The Garden project has been made possible thanks to £511,037 of generous funding from a combination of funders including the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and the VKR Foundation.
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