A Landmark in Thailand

In 2008, the Belgian government commissioned us to create a floral landmark for the Royal Flora Rajapruek Botanical Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A celebration of creativity, innovation, and tradition. Our mission was to design a garden that embodied both Belgian craftsmanship and cultural connection with Thailand.

The result was a monumental cone-shaped artwork, five meters high and ten meters long, partly embedded in undulating waves of grass. From the outside, its sheer scale captivates; step closer, and the story unfolds. Inside, thousands of yellow and red bromelias, one of Belgium’s most important horticultural exports, combine with black charcoal to form the colors of the Belgian flag.

Every element spoke of heritage and innovation: Belgian blue stone paving, long prized for cathedrals and public monuments, was laid in harmony with warm Thai wood, its patterns recalling the rhythms of Belgium’s North Sea at low tide. The wave-shaped grass referenced Belgium’s hilly countryside, yet here it was reimagined with cutting-edge Belgian artificial grass technology. A sustainable material already used in stadiums worldwide.

This landmark garden was more than an installation. It was a dialogue between two nations, a contemporary interpretation of tradition, and an artistic encounter where visitors could sit, reflect, and discover new details the longer they looked.

At Daniel Ost, we believe gardens are stories. Living sculptures where culture, craft, and innovation meet. In Chiang Mai, that story blossomed into a symbol of Belgium on Thai soil.