Art and Nature at the IOU Hostel
Unveiling the new wildflower terrace at the IOU Creation Centre Hostel, created in collaboration with acclaimed landscape designer and wildflower expert Jack Wallington
This September we unveiled our new outdoor wildflower terrace and meadow, featuring bespoke garden furniture, created in collaboration with acclaimed landscape designer and wildflower expert Jack Wallington.
The project has been thoughtfully designed with accessibility and well-being in mind, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the terrace. We’ve expanded the secluded woodland area at the side, adding a new patio designed for wheelchair access.
Plants have been carefully selected to enhance wildlife habitats, and over the coming seasons, an amphitheatre of grassland merging into Nutclough Woods will gradually take shape, enriched by the slow introduction of more wildflowers sourced from the seeds of local meadows.
“I’m a landscape designer and writer focused on bringing the peace of the wild closer to everyone’s daily lives by creating usable spaces immersed in nature. Living just up the road from IOU Hostel, I was delighted to be chosen to rethink the communal space of such an important part of our community.”
Jack has written an article for his website Wild Way, that looks more closely at the inspiration and process behind the project.
Next Stages
And there’s more to come – our next steps for this transformational project is to create bespoke secure bike storage for guests coming to explore the wilds of the Calder Valley – off and on road
We are grateful to West Yorkshire Combined Authority and their Rural England Prosperity Fund for support and everyone involved in the project
Furniture: @lammfurniture, fabricating: @jacksonsweldingllc, landscaping Alan Richardson, painting @riddioughs.decorating.services . Planting @farrellbrown
