Plants Are Encouraged To Grow Over The Exterior Of This New House

June 28, 2023
A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

Giles Miller Studio has shared photos of their first completed residential property in Kent, England, that features a sculptural black facade.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

The house breaks down barriers between the building’s internal spaces and the glade of natural planting and trees that surround it.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

By having a unique sculptural facade, the home invites nature to grow up the exterior of the house whilst also being visible from within it.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

Over time, jasmine, clematis, and other plants will grow up through the sculptural latticework and into the building, visible from the interior through the largely glass exterior.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

The sculptural concept itself was first inspired by the mathematical circularity of twisted rattan weave.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

The designers introduced a 3-dimensional relief to this composition with the recycled ABS modules which have been produced from the waste materials recovered from the UK-based production of electronic component housing.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

The depth of the sculptural modules allows for increased visual permeability as well as a greater surface for the climbing plants which adorn the building to weave through.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

The project has been delivered by a collaborative cohort led by Giles and his studio which includes architects, artists, engineers, and makers alongside some of the world’s most conscientious suppliers.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.

Here are a few close-up views of the various sculptural details of the home.

A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.
A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.
A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.
A modern black house with a sculptural facade designed to let plants grow on the exterior over time.
Photography: Rachel Ferriman and Edvinas Bruzas | Design: Giles Miller Studio | Main Contractor: Future Construction Kent | CLT: Construkt CLT | Groundworks: Ovendens | Planting Design: The Big Green Leaf | Str.Eng. (Steelwork): Design4Structures | Str.Eng (Steelwork, CLT): Structure Workshop | Str.Eng. (Facade): Michael Alexander Eng | Consulting Arch: Outpost | Glazing: C&A Window Systems