This little experimental garden, designed for the Ministry of Culture in Paris, was conceived with the botanist Patrick Blanc. It is set in a very deep courtyard, which receives only a small amount of direct light. Native plants that were likely to survive under these conditions and that could be planted in this space usually lack texture and color. This context, with its limitations in terms of light and temperature, corresponded to the conditions found in the undergrowth of southern high-altitude forests. These environments offer very great richness and vegetative diversity.

Thus the idea was formed to adapt and miniaturize one of these forests in a small surface area. Over twelve strata, 1,000 plants from 100 species, selected by the botanist, were brought in. This miniature composition of a living environment depends on a landscape approach as well as on research about the vegetation. Of course, botanical richness alone does not lead to beauty.

The quality of the results, which is the fruit of scientific knowledge allied with artistic refinement, comes from the coherence of the living environment. Each cubic meter of this material proposes variations in textures and blooms, and offers rich and coherent visual emotions. This composition was not at all intended as a version of a botanic garden design with an instructive aim. The botanical knowledge is used for deliberately aesthetic ends, supported by suitable technical resources.