An astounding living library built from 40,000 reclaimed books has sprouted in the middle of the forest as part of the 11th International Garden Festival in Métis, Quebec. Designed by Thilo Folkerts and Rodney Latourelle, Jardin de la Connaisance, or the Garden of Knowledge, is a unique outdoor library that features living books sown with several varieties of mushrooms. Playing off the theme of paradise and the Tree of Knowledge, the temporary garden brings the books back to their roots in a natural setting.

The colorful discarded books were stacked to create garden walls, benches and carpets that are integrated within the site and structure of the forest. In an amazing example of book architecture, the books are stacked like bricks, while open volumes form cushioned carpets on the forest floor. Latourelle worked in collaboration with Folkerts of 100Landschaftarchitecktur to design the ‘utopian’ garden as a compelling new way to experience the forest — as an information platform as well as a return to nature.

1 Comment

printsbyemh May 29, 2011 at 8:01 pm

http://www.etsy.com/shop/printsbyEMH?ref=si_shop

Gallery: Living Garden of Knowledge Ma...

< back to story

Slideshow

image 1 of 14

LEAVE A COMMENT

1 Comment

get the free Inhabitat newsletter

follow inhabitat on:

Jill Fehrenbacher

Jill Fehrenbacher

Kestrel Jenkins

Diane Pham

Andrew Michler

Bridgette Meinhold

Bridgette Meinhold

Yuka Yoneda

Yuka Yoneda

Jill Fehrenbacher

Jill Fehrenbacher

Jill Fehrenbacher

Gallery: Living Garden of Knowledge Ma...

LEAVE A COMMENT

NEW USER

CURRENT USERS LOGIN

1 Comment

get the free Inhabitat newsletter

get the free Inhabitat newsletter

follow inhabitat on: