Banbury Walker Studio has unveiled Jardin Blanc – a revolution in corporate hospitality at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, commissioned by Raymond Blanc and Sodexo Prestige in conjunction with the RHS.
Situated at the south west corner of the famous Royal Hospital show ground, Jardin Blanc represents Raymond Blanc’s first foray into corporate hospitality at Chelsea and is set to entertain over 5,000 corporate guests during this momentous week in the RHS calendar.
With a brief to create a space that guests can enjoy and which redefines the historically stuffy concept of corporate hospitality, Banbury Walker has designed a sanctuary away from the bustle of the Royal Pavilion and the plethora of show gardens, embracing the undulating landscape and emulating the peaceful setting of a wild meadow.
Devised around the concept of what constitutes the perfect 18th Century garden, Jardin Blanc by Banbury Walker is underpinned by a contemporary take on a kitchen garden, menagerie, green house, pleasure garden and park. An edible theme resonates throughout with the vegetable beds of Le Manoir referenced in the raised beds at the entrance.
Complementing a carefully crafted menu by Raymond Blanc, compiled at his Oxfordshire headquarters, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, is a cocktail bar headed up by JJ Chapman of the London Cocktail Club, briefed by Raymond to create ‘the best cocktails available in London’ this week.
Raymond Blanc, OBE, and head chef at Jardin Blanc explains:
“We are so proud of the finished design at Jardin Blanc. It’s fun and charming and will put a smile on the face of each guest. It fulfils our mission to bring an element of joie de vivre to the dry corporate world and encourages good food and conversation, sidestepping the negative connotations of corporate hospitality.”
Andrew Walker, director at Banbury Walker Studio, continues:
“We have created a synergy between the design, the gardens and the dining experience – all of which feels organic rather than temporary or contrived. We have used the full scale of the site despite the uneven ground and have enhanced the sense of freedom as a result. The essence of Chelsea resonates throughout the design and rather than approaching this as a dining event, we have approached it as a Chelsea event – incorporating florals and planting into the core of the design.
“By no means have we attempted to recreate Raymond’s iconic Oxfordshire HQ. We have taken subtle nuanced cues such as sculptures and planting from Le Manoir at Jardin Blanc, which only die hard Raymond fans might recognise, and to precipitate Raymond’s identity throughout.
“The dining spaces offer inherent flexibility and, with moveable internal walls, can accommodate an array of entertainment styles throughout the week, from corporate lunches to a restaurant setting for the evenings.
“We won the commission for the design of Jardin Blanc in November 2015 and it has been a pleasure to work on from its inception. We have been fortunate enough to work closely with Raymond Blanc, who has shared his fantastic critical eye, and it is our true partnership that will enable us to wow the guests of the Chelsea Flower Show this week.”
Identifying the opportunity to inspire the corporate hospitality guests with careful and intelligent garden design, Banbury Walker approached 25 time Gold Medal Winning garden consultant and ex-MD of Hilliers, Andy McIndoe, to oversee the planting and landscaping.
Andy McIndoe, garden consultant and designer, concludes:
“After years spent at Chelsea designing gardens and competing for coveted medals, Jardin Blanc represents a new phase in my career in horticulture and afforded me the opportunity to reach a new demographic of Chelsea-goer, and create a garden for people to enjoy and not just to photograph.
“Jardin Blanc has provided the opportunity to show how remarkable a productive garden can be, highlighting how vegetables can be more than just part of a diet, but can look beautiful in the garden too. Crucially, the planting at Jardin Blanc is not a recreation of Le Manoir, but we did work closely with Anne-Marie Owens, head gardener at Le Manoir, who has grown much of the garden to order, which is no mean feat.
“We have harnessed floral and landscape design to overhaul the traditional notion of corporate hospitality, creating a space that encourages relaxation and enjoyment. We wanted to give guests the opportunity to see the difference that plants can make to their lives, where they live and work.”
Jardin Blanc will be in situ at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from Monday 23rd May until Saturday 28th May.
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