In 2016, Hugo’s second RHS Chelsea garden for the Royal Bank of Canada Garden celebrated water as a sacred entity.

This garden inspired visitors with its innovative materials, compelling design and beautiful planting all focused on helping to increase awareness and appreciation of water.

Drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean pine habitat of Jordan, the design had the preciousness of water as its heart and was planted with the native flora of the northern parts of the country. The planting illustrated how arid landscapes can have beautiful flora that requires minimal rainfall.

Materiality referenced the basalt deserts of the north-east of Jordan with faceted black basalt sculptural features clustered together like water molecules in patterns associated with water. At the heart of the garden a single sculpture held water.

The garden was awarded a silver gilt medal.