Third pop-up garden takes root in Christchurch's Cathedral Square

A Stained Glass Pavilion is the last of three pop-up gardens to bring a splash of colour and nature to Cathedral Square.

The pavilion was opened in Cathedral Square on Saturday and follows the earlier installation of two other temporary gardens, Noodlescape and Time to Heal, late last year.

If you're in town make sure you check out the latest pop-up garden in Cathedral Square.

 Stained Glass Pavilion uses tinted acrylic set within a laser-cut steel panels to create the look of a stained glass walkway surrounded by lush greenery.

 It was designed and built by Tamsin Harrington and Dirk Visser and sponsored by Rough and Milne Landscape Architects, with support from Avon Dickie Construction and All Steel Fabrication.

 The three pop-up gardens were chosen following a competition organised by Christchurch City Council’s Enliven Places Programme. Entrants were asked to come up with a garden design that featured a seating area, greenery and colour within a compact space. An independent panel agreed a shortlist and then a public vote decided the top three designs.

Council Head of Urban Design, Regeneration and Heritage Carolyn Ingles says the pavilion gives the feeling of being in a peaceful courtyard garden and the stained glass is a nod to Christchurch’s heritage buildings. “Like the other pop-up gardens, this will provide another pocket of nature for people to relax in and enjoy when they visit the central city and Cathedral Square.”

 Noodlescape, which features brightly coloured pool noodles and native plants, was installed in Cathedral Square late last year but it has been moved to a new location closer to Tūranga to make it even more accessible.

Time to Heal was designed by Avonhead School students supported by Katherine Booker, who is a mum to two sons and an enthusiastic gardener. Four planter boxes outline the space and a central planter has a 12-sided timber bench built around it. The shape was inspired by the hours of a clock and the four raised beds are like the points on a compass.