To create Into the Hedge, the studio – together with the nearby Miller House – procured 130 living trees and located them on the lawn of the Bartholomew County Courthouse. After the exhibition is over, the trees will be permanently planted in the garden of the miller house.

The installation developed by SO–IL forms part of Exhibit Columbus, an annual exploration of architecture, art, design and community. The 130 trees have been carefully sited within an oversized handmade hammock, the colour palette of which is taken from the Alexander Girard-designed dining chairs at the Miller House.

Through a partnership with Indianapolis’ people for urban progress, the net will go on to become a series of handbags, totes or even beach bags. For the other components of the installation, simple off-the-shelf agricultural and construction materials were used to ensure that everything could have a life after the exhibition.

The gabions, mulch, limestone and stakes that comprise the planters and central pathway will all be recycled into local infrastructure projects.

Via designboom | Images © Hadley Fruits for Exhibit Columbus