This shortlisted proposal for a new Scottish national donor memorial was developed for a site within the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Conceived as a place of reflection and quiet gathering, the design responds to the significance of organ and tissue donation through form, material and landscape.

The proposal centred on the use of woven reinforcement bar, a material typically associated with the early stages of construction. Here, it was reinterpreted through a craft-based approach, borrowing techniques from traditional willow fencing to form curved, interlaced walls. These gently rise from the ground to create a sheltered, open-ended enclosure for seating and contemplation.

At the point where the woven rebar meets and binds together, the metal would be gilded to mark the profound moment of connection and generosity the memorial seeks to honour. Within the space, a simple oak bench is supported by the curved metal structure, offering a quiet place to pause. The lower edges of the walls extend into the landscape to form shallow planted terraces, gradually transitioning into the wider garden context.

Planting and surface materials were developed in dialogue with the horticultural team at the Botanic Garden, ensuring that the proposal was both ecologically appropriate and visually integrated. The scheme was presented to a working group composed of donor families and recipients, whose reflections informed its ongoing refinement.

This project sought to express a sense of quiet strength, using modest materials and a simple architectural language to create a meaningful and enduring place of remembrance.