PROJECTS / MEDICINAL GARDEN

Medicinal Garden, Emantini Botanical Gardens, Eswatini

Client: Private | Size: 2350m² | Duration: 2020-2023
Awards: 2024 SCAPE Awards of Excellence African Build of the Year Runner-Up
2024 ILASA Award of Excellence

Unique in locality and in comparative measure, the privately-owned Emantini Medicinal Garden is nestled along the Ngwempisi River valley in central Eswatini. It serves as an anchor point in a broader and growing tapestry of carefully curated outdoor spaces, structures, and flora collections on the property.

Boldly architectural and theatrically scaled, the design of this garden sought to reimagine how history would dictate a formal medicinal garden to be. Conceptually, a linear arcade is introduced as a central spine, styled specifically to tell the story of connections. Over its length, the structure transitions in design language from modern, rectilinear geometries to softer, more natural forms and finally paying homage to local culture and the traditional indumba hut. One is offered an opportunity to reflect on that vital fusion point between traditional remedies and current-day medicine, the importance of each, and how nature at its most earnest still supports human health amidst the ever-hastening developments in medical science.

Amidst the theatre, housing a multitude of medicinal plant types with varying habits and condition requirements remained fundamental to the design and planning. This space stands as testimony to the interpretative ability of gardens and how, whilst primarily celebrating plants and nature, they can act as vehicles for intellectual musings and discovery.

Medicinal Garden, Emantini Botanical Gardens, Eswatini

Client: Private | Size: 2350m² | Duration: 2020-2023
Awards: 2024 SCAPE Awards of Excellence African Build of the Year Runner-Up
2024 ILASA Award of Excellence

Unique in locality and in comparative measure, the privately-owned Emantini Medicinal Garden is nestled along the Ngwempisi River valley in central Eswatini. It serves as an anchor point in a broader and growing tapestry of carefully curated outdoor spaces, structures, and flora collections on the property.

Boldly architectural and theatrically scaled, the design of this garden sought to reimagine how history would dictate a formal medicinal garden to be. Conceptually, a linear arcade is introduced as a central spine, styled specifically to tell the story of connections. Over its length, the structure transitions in design language from modern, rectilinear geometries to softer, more natural forms and finally paying homage to local culture and the traditional indumba hut. One is offered an opportunity to reflect on that vital fusion point between traditional remedies and current-day medicine, the importance of each, and how nature at its most earnest still supports human health amidst the ever-hastening developments in medical science.

Amidst the theatre, housing a multitude of medicinal plant types with varying habits and condition requirements remained fundamental to the design and planning. This space stands as testimony to the interpretative ability of gardens and how, whilst primarily celebrating plants and nature, they can act as vehicles for intellectual musings and discovery.