Lunatica
Joshua Fenton
Lunatica is a garden about water health and security within Britain in 2024.
The garden responds to the theme ‘a good life’ as clean healthy water is vital for all forms that a good life would take.
The name comes from the twice daily influence that the moon has on the bodies of water on our planet – and indeed the plants. Luna – moon, ‘tica’ – nautical sounding…
The garden responds to our water crisis by offering a number of different solutions and ideas about how we could change the way we behave.
The main area is built on a self wicking bed, this is effectively a sub-terranean reservoir which can wick into the soil above by reducing evaporation from surface watering.
The upper bed is a dry bed which is ultra permeable and drains into the lower (wicking) bed, it will demonstrate the planting which will thrive in a dry Britain.
The plunge pool is both a recreational feature for cold water treatment but also a reservoir for periods of drought – being able to top up the wicking bed from it.
This will work by being able to pump water from the plunge pool to the wicking bed – in periods of non drought the water will be able to cycle and will form a circular waterfall at the plunge pool – a moongate. I’m hoping that the design I have concocted for a raisable and lowerable platform within the plunge pool will make it possible to walk over the plunge pool when not plunging and make use of the seating around it. Also it should make plunging more accessible to the less able bodied.
The composting toilet responds to our deepening issues with waste water treatment and drinking water wastage on the flushing of toilets, the plethora of micro plastics and raw sewage in our natural water systems. It will hopefully educate and dispel any myths surrounding composting toilets.
We are hoping to have a cooking area on the patio supplied by Tara from CharlieOven, this is largely because Good food is very much a part of a good life.
Planting – This is going to be a completely edible garden – whether it is for the leaves, the fruit or the flowers. However, it won’t be planted in neat rows.
With thanks to
