The Paludarium, first developed in 19th-century Britain, is a glass ecological display chamber designed specifically for plants. At the time, it provided a window for people to appreciate rare and exotic plants in urban areas and was a focal point at the Paris World Expo. This concept, combining nature and technology, opened up a new way to preserve and display nature.

Many years later, Japanese contemporary artist Azuma Makoto reinterpreted this historical symbol and created the seventh-generation closed ecosystem - Paludarium "MASASHI".

This is no longer just a container to protect plants, but a contemporary art installation that integrates light, water mist, wind sound and temperature control, bringing nature to the stage of the future.

⸻

Housed in this futuristic glass cabin is the Shimpaku Itoigawa from Japan.

Renowned for its sturdy trunk, pale sarira, and densely packed leaves, the Itoigawa shimbashira is a highly representative bonsai species. This shimbashira, weathered by decades of wind and rain, boasts winding branches resembling a soaring dragon, delicate leaves like clouds, and a fusion of dead wood and greenery, creating a natural sculpture.

In the mist, light, shadow and sound effects of Paludarium MASASHI, it is no longer just a static plant, but a living work of art that interacts with the environment and can tell the story of time and space.

This combination gives traditional bonsai aesthetics new life on the contemporary art stage.

⸻

This work is now quietly displayed in a high-end residential building in Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong Gateway Square Milelobby.

When residents and visitors walk into the lobby,

What catches the eye is not only the design language of modern architecture,

There are also surprises where nature and art are intertwined.

Greenery and glass, dead wood and fog shadows reflect each other in the space.

Create a contradictory yet harmonious atmosphere.

It is not only an art installation,

It is also a symbol:

Such an existence makes the lobby of a high-end residence no longer just a passage for entry and exit, but an urban oasis that can attract attention and stimulate thinking.

⸻

For PLAN+T, bonsai is more than just a collectible or decorative object; it is a medium that resonates with art, architecture, and life. Through dialogues with international artists, bonsai is given new ways of display and cultural connotations.

Itoigawa cypress × Paludarium MASASHI,

It is an attempt by traditional bonsai to transcend time and field.

It is also the starting point for PLAN+T's continuous exploration of "nature × art × space".