SterlingOSB helps garden designer scoop RHS award

Norbord’s SterlingOSB played a part in the construction of a prize-winning display by garden designer, Robert Hughes, at this year’s RHS Flower Show in Bute Park, Cardiff.

Robert specialises in garden design for domestic customers as well as commercial clients. He designed the garden along with the unique garden office, central to his display.

Inspired by modern architecture such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Falling Water’, Robert’s design created a contemporary space.

Dubbed the “office box”, the centrepiece of the display was a timber, open-air office shelter complete with a green roof.

The garden and the office box were designed for quick construction and rapid removal after the show; the whole structure was installed and dismantled after less than two weeks.

Hughes said: “We needed a cost-effective, strong material to build with, and Norbord’s SterlingOSB offered the perfect solution.

“The office box included a sedum ‘green’ roof so the SterlingOSB had to carry a reasonable load.

“I really like SterlingOSB – it’s easy to work with, it’s strong, light and durable. It’s ideal for something like a flat roof deck structure.

“And I also like the texture of the product. In the right context, it can be very effective as a design feature; you don’t always have to cover it with something else.”

The Cardiff Jewson branch sponsored the display and supplied the SterlingOSB free of charge. It was used to build the base of the garden’s raised patio structure as well as wall panels and flat-roof decking for the Office Box itself.

The Office Box design was chosen among the RHS Flower Show judges who awarded Robert the coveted RHS Silver-Gilt Medal for his display.