We have worked on many exciting projects in 2022, including a new RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden, the relocation of last year’s RHS Chelsea Garden and a record 29 luxury residential landscape builds. As our business continues to grow, we have also introduced many internal changes. Expanding our services, improving our operations, increasing our teams and upgrading our office space. Below are just some of our highlights
In May, we finally showcased the ‘Circle of Life Garden’ at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The build had been postponed since the beginning of the pandemic and was Japanese Designer, Yoshihiro (Hiro) Tamura’s first experience of the show. The garden was largely created using reclaimed timber to represent the cycle of life from beginning to end through different means. Over 3000 mixed hardwood mosaics were hand cut by Hiro and the Cube Team to flank the curved walls, symbolising the twists and turns of our everyday journeys; The handmade Japanese style wooden water wheel represented the passing of time; The planting colours embodied human emotions with green for healing, red for passion, yellow for warmth, white for purity and black for everyday troubles and worries. Despite the typically British, Spring flash-flooding, the garden was a triumph and very popular with the crowds
After the show, the trees and planting were donated to the Grow2Know Project and placed in the Peter Rabbit Garden, at St Clement and St James’ Primary School. The project hopes to raise awareness of the social, psychological and environmental benefits of gardening and nature, as well as highlighting the need to provide children with the opportunity for nature play from a young age. A fantastic cause, the Grow2Know founders will design and deliver three Peter Rabbit community garden makeovers between now and 2024
In August, Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford officially opened the Wellbeing Garden at Chelmsford Ambulance Station. The original RHS Chelsea 2021 garden ‘60o East, A Garden Between Continents’ was gifted to the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) as a green space for staff to enjoy and unwind. The new design and landscaping works were donated by Sean Butler of Cube 1994, as a way of saying thank you for the care provided to his late mother. Contributions towards materials and machinery were also kindly donated by our suppliers at London Lawn Turf, Birch Composting, Dale Hire, Dunmow Group and Jewsons. Cube is now working with EEAST to design a similar project for staff wellbeing in Billericay
In-house, we invested further in our technology to improve our design services. Our talented design team can now provide high quality 3D video walkthroughs that show how the garden will look in reality. They have also been working on their 3D visual effects, including lighting the garden at night and even how the garden would look in the snow. We are really excited about this new technology and the innovative design services we can provide
We have also invested in expanding our design and office teams to cope with the demands of the business
In March, we welcomed Ruth Hobbs to the office team to support Anastasia in the day to day running of the business. Ruth has quickly become a valued team member and her personable approach is an asset to Cube
In June, we welcomed Anna Suvierova to our design team. Moving to the UK in May 2022 under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, she transferred her creative skills to garden design; Anna’s Masters in Art and interior design background is evident in her striking designs
Onsite, our landscaping teams are ever increasing. This year, we welcomed Evan back to Cube as a foreman. Evan is a joy to have back on board, a great team player, hardworking, meticulous and this doesn’t go unnoticed with our clients. We also welcomed Henry, Archie, Mykola, Sam and Alex to the landscaping teams
To cope with the increasing workforce, we made some structural changes in September; promoting Myles to Project Coordinator and Izaak to Project Manager. Myles now schedules and oversees all project operations whilst, Izaak oversees all projects onsite. This new organisational structure aims to develop our operational procedures and complete projects effectively and efficiently. As we continue to work on at least 4 live projects at a time, Izaak and Myles have embraced their new roles and have quickly become invaluable to the team
Our charity causes this year, don’t stop with the RHS Chelsea Gardens. Sean continues to swim, race and ride for ‘Children with Cancer UK’. Completing the Half Ironman Triathlon, Swim Serpentine and Swimathon already this year. He will also complete a 50k marathon swim this month and has signed up for the English Channel Relay Swim next year. We are all tired just thinking about it!
In February, WE ARE MOVING. We have outgrown our small quaint office in Danbury and have invested in more square footage. Opening in February, our new office sits opposite Morrisons in Maldon, in the Knowles Farm Industrial Estate. The increased space will allow our design team to invite clients into the office, to discuss projects, see more of our portfolio and view a larger range of samples. The expansion will also allow for more in-house training and development. With plenty of parking, no appointment is necessary, pop in and say hello
We have many more exciting projects in the pipeline for 2023 and look forward to sharing these with you in the New Year. Thank you again for all your support
