Behind the Design: the Tressa Planter
Solid oak, sculpted by steam. Behind the design of our RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year Award finalist - the bespoke Tressa Planter.
We are pleased to announce that our brand new Tressa Planter is one of the RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year finalists. We take a look at the inspiration behind the design of our innovative bespoke Tressa Planter, which launched this week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019.
RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year
RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year returns to this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Rewarding innovative design, outstanding quality and environmental sustainability, the award recognises the best new garden products on the market.
This year, our Tressa Planter is joined on the shortlist by renowned companies such as Made With Husk, Ooni and Hotbin. Products range from antique oak tables and outdoor pizza ovens to biodegradable watering cans and bespoke compost bins.
On the judging panel this year is Deborah Meaden of BBC’s Dragon’s Den, Chris Harrop, Group Marketing Director & Director of Sustainability at Marshalls and Peter Seabrook, Gardening Correspondent for The Sun.
What is the Tressa Planter?
Revolutionising the current market for outdoor planters, the Tressa Planter combines our traditional steam bending technique with complex parametric modelling for the very first time.
The organic 3D form, handcrafted from sustainably sourced solid oak, has been designed as a functional piece of art for indoor and outdoor spaces.
The inspiration behind the design
A triumph of steam bending, our brand new Tressa Planter is a celebration of biophilic design.
Inspired by undulating natural forms, and promoting the synergy between nature and well-being, the Tressa Planter features four rounded, sunken beds which allow for a variety of aromatic, medicinal and edible planting to be curated.
Bespoke customisation
Our Tressa Planter has been innovatively designed to allow complete customisation, meaning the structure's height and size can be adapted to meet bespoke, specified needs.
Developed whilst working on a large-scale installation with London’s Royal Parks and in collaboration with Colicci and Mizzi Studio, Tom Raffield’s ground-breaking new process produces complex 3D bends never been seen before in the design community. The outcome is a pioneering, unique product which showcases the age-old traditional process of steam bending yet embraces 21st Century technology and skill.
“Our new process has opened a new world of possibilities for creating complex curves on a large scale and the ability to offer a more bespoke service to our clients. The new planters are an example of our flexible approach to design – allowing us to produce designs for different heights, surfaces and structures, all to bespoke measurements".
Founder, Tom Raffield
How is it used?
The Tressa Planter is designed to bring nature into urban areas, but can be used in any garden or indoor setting. The four rounded beds, sunk into the planter itself, can be planted with herbs, succulents, flowering plants or anything else that you want to introduce to your space.
The ground-breaking new design promotes a flexible approach to gardening by bringing green space to urban settings and creating accessible, horticultural environments for everyone to enjoy.
Our bespoke steam bent planters and screens debuting at Chelsea Flower Show 2019 are available to specify through our recommended garden designers. To order, please contact them directly.
Tom Massey
Tel: +44(0) 7946 406619
Email: hello@tommassey.co.uk
Sheila Jack
Tel: +44(0) 7867 801435
Email: sheila@sheilajack.com
Posted: 23.05.19
Updated: 15.04.21