asensio_mah: surface deep

‘surface deep’ created by asensio_mah located in quebec, canada images courtesy of asensio_mah

international practice asensio_mah has recently completed ‘surface deep’ an outdoor installation for the reford gardens’ metis international garden festival located in quebec, canada. hearkening to the historical presence of low profile walls in gardens, this modern expression pushes a typically mundane element into an interactive addition. this collaborative project with students from harvard’s graduate school of design provides a temporary entry sequence for visitors to the grounds. the undulating form frames a procession for visitors and becomes a point for reflection before continuing onward.

children playing on the installation

the incrementally angled panels blur the unit’s function, gradually transforming the wall from seating into the ground plane. the surface’s open webbing provides a framework for a variety of mosses to harbor. the university’s digital fabrication facilities allowed a majority of the construction components to be produced before reaching the site. after rapid assembly, a moss garden extending beyond the segmented unit was planted.

(left) undulating profile (right) wood framework becomes exposed

angled panels

child walking alongside the installation

framework detail

moss detail

l site plan

elevations

axon

moss diagram