The Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine Garden

The garden

The Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine Garden is a celebration of regeneration, hope, and the transformative power of young adults to shape brighter, more positive futures. Inspired by the landscapes and culture of Morecambe Bay, the garden invites young people, especially those often overlooked, to explore practical skills, creativity, and pathways into the green industries.

At its heart stands a pioneering solar-powered structure that serves as both shelter and classroom. Beneath its curved roof, a central table hosts workshops that blend hands-on craft, horticulture, and cutting-edge digital learning. This structure rises from a shell-inspired island terrace, surrounded by a reflective pool that captures and recycles rainwate – a living system symbolising resilience and renewal.

Framed by limestone, innovative shell-based materials and salt-tolerant planting, the garden reflects the character of Morecambe Bay and embodies the Eden Project’s mission: to inspire and demonstrate positive action for the planet, empowering young people with the tools, skills and confidence to thrive.

Key plants

The planting evokes a coastal meadow, combining resilience with a soft, naturalistic feel. The colour palette is led by pinks and yellows, contrasted with occasional pops of blue for vibrancy. Textural grasses and coastal-adapted species give movement and atmosphere, balancing toughness with a gentle, immersive character.

• Salix exigua - climate resilient willow which is fantastic for craft material
• Hippophae rhamnoides - coastal climate adapted species with edible berries to aid foraging
• Calamagrostis epigejos - an airy Morecambe resident which is underused in planting schemes nationwide
• Atriplex halimus - bold glaucous foliage which evokes coastal habitats
• Echium vulgare - a stunning native, whose vertical blue form will counter looser elements in the planting.

Plants supplier: Hortus Loci, The Eden Project, Cornwall, Incredible Vegetables and Edulis.

Sustainability notes

The garden shows how landscapes can be both sustainable and productive, using reclaimed materials like limestone and shell by-products, cement-free construction and solar energy. Rainwater is harvested through a reflective pool and rill system. Climate-resilient, edible and useful plants support biodiversity, while pollinator-friendly planting and water features provide habitats for wildlife. Visitors leave with practical ideas, from capturing rainwater and repurposing waste to growing perennial edibles and dye plants that bring resilience and beauty to everyday gardens.

The designers – Harry Holding and Alex Michaelis

“The Eden Project has long been a source of inspiration, and our relationship with the team made this collaboration a natural fit. Chelsea offers a powerful platform to raise awareness of Eden Project Morecambe and its mission to demonstrate and inspire positive action for the planet, regenerating landscapes and livelihoods.,” Harry and Alex.

Since founding his studio in 2016, Harry Holding has earned recognition for his award-winning, ecologically mindful garden designs. Named among House & Garden’s Top 50 Designers, he’s received accolades from the RHS and other leading bodies. His Chelsea debut in 2023 won the People’s Choice Award, and in 2024 he returned to design the RHS Feature Garden. Harry’s work spans private and public spaces, including a commission for the Shuttleworth Botanical Garden on the Isle of Man. He also teaches, speaks widely, and will publish his debut book Eat Your Garden in 2026.

Born in Paris, Alex studied science before discovering a passion for design in Italy. He trained at the Architectural Association and co-founded Michaelis Boyd in 2002. Known for imaginative, sustainable architecture, Alex has led standout projects like The Leaf House in the Cotswolds, Arijiju in Kenya, and Soho Farmhouse. His nature-led approach shapes the studio’s global reputation for creative, eco-conscious design. With offices in London and New York, Michaelis Boyd’s portfolio spans heritage restorations, luxury hotels, and private clubs.

Hear from the charity – The Eden Project

“This garden is about more than showmanship – it’s about sparking conversations around youth opportunity, sustainability and the future of green skills and industries. By involving young adults from Morecambe who are often overlooked and outside traditional education, the design process itself has already begun to make a difference, giving them ownership and a voice.”

Garden legacy

The garden will be permanently relocated to Eden Project Morecambe, becoming part of a new 1.5-acre community space for learning, gathering and stewardship, supporting Eden’s mission to inspire action and regenerate landscapes and livelihoods.