Seedlip Garden Peavilion
Chelsea 2018

About the project

Designed by Catherine MacDonald for the Gold Medal winning Seedlip Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, this bespoke aluminium pavilion formed the centrepiece of the garden.

The façade measured approximately 5m long by 2.5m high and was fabricated from more than 1,300 individual aluminium tubes. Each tube was cut to length, polished and welded into position to create a dense textured surface whilst maintaining a perfectly flat finished face. Tube diameters ranged from 35mm to 150mm, requiring careful coordination throughout the fabrication process.

A key challenge of the project was maintaining dimensional accuracy across the entire structure. The aluminium tubes had to be positioned precisely within the supporting box section framework to ensure alignment, consistency and structural integrity. With over 1,300 individual components contributing to the finished façade, even minor variations would have been visible across the completed surface.

Once fabricated, the pavilion was prepared for finishing and installation as a complete structure weighing approximately 1.5 tonnes. The finished pavilion was subsequently craned into position within the show garden, where it became the focal point of the award-winning design.

Click to watch the Landform Consultants' video of the Seedlip garden