Oasis in the Sky: A Balcony Garden by Manh Ninh
LCGD student Manh Ninh set out to test a simple idea.
How much can be achieved in a small space when you stop trying to fill it?
Oasis in the Sky was designed for the 2026 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show as a response to that question.
Rather than treating the balcony as a limitation, the design leans into it. Space is used carefully, with an emphasis on what’s left open as much as what’s planted.
Negative space becomes a defining element.
Planting is layered and naturalistic, creating softness and movement without overwhelming the footprint. Each element is given room to sit on its own, allowing the space to feel calm rather than crowded.
A biophilic screen provides enclosure and privacy, but without weight. It filters light, allows air movement, and maintains a connection to the sky beyond.
What the garden demonstrates is a shift in how small spaces can be approached.
Not as something to maximise, but as something to edit.
A considered and confident response, and one that resonated strongly with visitors throughout the show. Well done Manh - keep up with his work at Sow Haven Studio.
With thanks to Josephine Ball for capturing the gardens, details and moments across the Show.