Gold Medal & People’s Choice Award, Bloom 2022

Pathways to Home was Studio Glasú’s award-winning show garden at Bloom 2022, designed in collaboration with the Peter McVerry Trust. The garden symbolised the journey from homelessness and sleeping rough to living in a safe and secure home. Reflecting both the physical and emotional paths undertaken by the Trust’s clients, the design created a contemplative sanctuary — a moment of respite from the pressures of homelessness — while raising awareness of the importance of housing, community, and dignity.

The brief was to translate a deeply human and often invisible experience into a landscape installation that would resonate with visitors on both an emotional and aesthetic level. The challenge lay in capturing the difficulties of homelessness without being reductive, while also celebrating the resilience, support, and hope embodied in the work of the Peter McVerry Trust. Studio Glasú engaged in the detailed design of every aspect of the garden and worked closely with contractors and furniture makers to ensure that each element — from the bespoke benches to the planting and water features — embodied the narrative and design.

A series of pathways of varying heights transected the garden, suggesting the staggered and non-linear journey from hardship to stability, punctuated by opportunities to pause and seek support. A restrained use of colour defined the textured planting layers, reinforcing the theme of transition and growth. Bespoke timber benches, carved from wind-blown silver fir, provided places for contemplation and conversation, overlooking a calming body of water. This stillness offered visitors a moment of reflection on life’s pathways, while also drawing attention to the importance of safe spaces in recovery and wellbeing.

The garden not only captured the imagination of visitors but also shone a spotlight on the innovative and essential work of the Peter McVerry Trust. Its thoughtful design highlighted the charity’s Housing First model — providing homes embedded in green environments alongside wraparound services. Pathways to Home was awarded a Gold Medal and the People’s Choice Award at Bloom 2022.