Work Underway On Jacobs Creek Productive Garden

Orlando Wines engaged WAX to consider a large scale productive garden adjoining Jacobs Creek Heritage Cottage. The concept was to create a rewarding experience for VIP visitors to the Cottage, whilst providing locally grown, organic food to supplement and inspire the menu at the Visitors Centre Restaurant. The productive garden aims to offset food costs for the restaurant and fits into Jacobs Creek ethos on sustainability, reflecting the wineries strong affiliation and respect for the natural environment.

The garden utilises citrus tree avenues, a native and mixed species orchard, an Australian ‘bush tucker’ garden, herb garden and vegetable garden plots. The design adopts a holistic approach incorporating bee hives, a composting area and poultry to complete a balanced productive garden.

Drawing upon historical cues from the heritage cottage, red brick paving and a hardwood pergola further enhance the cultural and historical aesthetics of the cottage. The red brick paving continues through the productive garden, where, lined with pleached fruit trees it creates an opportunity for a unique long table dining experience.

Office Agriculture

Local food production is the flavour of the month in the WAX office. In collaboration with Roger Goss of Bullseye Creative and UPRS, co-office-inhabitants, the WAX team initiated the design development and eventual fabrication of an interior herb wall helping bring a touch of freshness to lunch times.

A boring sandwich or last night’s left over’s can now be reinvigorated with the addition of fresh handpicked herbs and greens. Including basil, thyme, mint, coriander, lettuce, baby spinach and rocket the wall not only brings a culinary lift to lunches but aids in creating a more pleasant working environment for the URPS and WAX teams.

Looking not only to freshen up fellow staff member’s lunch boxes, the intention of the herb wall also aims to influence and educate them on the importance of growing and eating locally produced food as we head into a future with food scarcity and climate change amongst the most significant issues we as designers are going to face.

 Over the coming months, through a trial and error process, WAX will learn the intricacies of growing herbs inside and continue to look forward to fresh herbs and a healthier office environment.