Vert was a landmark installation of the 2024 London Design Festival. Following our involvement in MultiPly, a 2018 installation using cross-laminated Tulipwood, Stage One was approached once again by AHEC to assist with realising their current vision, this time using American red oak glulam.

This was a pioneering collaboration between AHEC (the American Hardwood Export Council), urban greening specialists OMCC (Office for Micro-Climate Cultivation), and industrial design practice Diez Office. The project involved the installation of a 10m tall modular timber pavilion made of 80% renewable materials and designed for re-use.

Whilst the pavilion promoted the use of red-oak glulam as a sustainable solution for UK construction, it was likewise a proposal for urban greening in consideration of the fight against climate change. Suspended beds were filled with over 20 species of climbing plants that would creep across the biodegradable netting, providing cooling shade for the visitors below whilst removing carbon from the atmosphere.

On account of its short installation period the plants were pre-grown at Stage One. We built a large truss support frame and OMCC spent two days with us in Yorkshire to plant the flower beds. During the two months of growing time, attention turned to the structure. Having worked with AHEC to develop the red oak glulam, Neue Holzbau produced the structural components for the timber pavilion, including thermally modified red oak planks for the decking.

Stage One manufactured the steel base for the decking, and plate fixings for the structure, as well as machining timber bench headers and footrests to suspend the net seating. We completed the installation in a week; we built the structure, delicately positioned the plants, and installed the watering system beneath the decking to access the services within the courtyard floor.

Once demounted, the plant materials will be recycled, and the structure placed in storage until it is re-used elsewhere.