Where Trust Takes Root

Where Trust Takes Root was designed for Marks & Spencer at Bord Bia Bloom 2026 and explored the relationship between food, farming, family, and trust. Inspired by the journey from farm to table, the garden celebrated the people, processes, and values that underpin the food we eat every day.

The design centred on a floating timber dining platform suspended above water, creating a space for gathering, conversation, and shared meals. Four structural timber posts rose from the pond and supported an overhead framework, symbolising the unseen systems of trust that hold communities, families, and food production together. Water provided reflection and calm, while natural materials such as timber, stone, and brick grounded the garden in authenticity and craftsmanship.

Planting combined ornamental and edible species, reflecting the connection between productive landscapes and beautiful gardens. Fruit trees, berries, herbs, vegetables, and perennial planting were woven together to create a rich, immersive environment that changed with the seasons and encouraged visitors to reconnect with the origins of their food.

The garden sought to demonstrate that trust is not built instantly but develops over time through consistency, care, and stewardship. Through its use of natural materials, productive planting, and inviting social spaces, Where Trust Takes Root encouraged visitors to reflect on the importance of connection—to each other, to the land, and to the food systems that sustain us.