The Xardin Urban Gallery

This small public garden revitalises an inner city urban space by embracing common materials and celebrating their reuse in new ways. It provides an exciting 'urban gallery' for street artists to display their own creativity in a contemporary environment.

Inspired by the abstract art of Agnes Martin and Ben Nicholson, and drawing influence from Japanese karesansui (rock) gardens, the space comprises a central pool lit by dappled light filtering through the canopies of medlar trees. The design invites harmony and balance and by doing so, asks the user to more fully discern the gallery and take in the art displayed on the perimeter walls.