PROJECTS
We build beautiful, practical alternatives to the systems and environments that no longer serve people or the planet. Through creative projects, research, skill-sharing, community outreach and practical action, we're exploring ways to strengthen and empower people to shape the places they live.
Not all projects have been included due to website updates underway
Mountains to the Sea
CURRENT
An ambitious project connecting communities along the River Taff through traditional boat building, creativity and environmental learning. Participants spend a week building a currach, sharing local stories, taking part in creative workshops and exploring the river's ecology with artists and environmental experts.
The project reconnects people with their river, landscape and heritage, culminating in a celebration where communities share their skills and learning with local businesses, organisations and decision-makers, inspiring collective action to protect our rivers for future generations.
Garden Architecture
2023 - CURRENT
Over several years, we've worked alongside the Meadow Street Community Garden to design and build a series of gardens, structures and sculptural features at their riverside site. Every project was developed through community design workshops, drawing inspiration from local trees and plants. Alongside construction, we delivered practical workshops in woodcarving, blacksmithing, metalwork and stone mosaic paving. Today, the spaces continue to host events, workshops and everyday community life.
Salad Circle
2022
Completed in partnership with Cardiff Salad Garden in 2022, the Salad Circle was a seven-metre-diameter living structure installed in Bute Park for ten days during the summer. Its walls were planted with a diverse range of edible plants and it became a hub for community workshops, events and conversations about growing food sustainably. The installation captured the imagination of visitors and brought people together through nature and creativity.
From Trash to Teasure
CURRENT
This project transformed discarded aluminium cans into beautiful sculptures using traditional casting and metalworking techniques. Inspired by our ethos of creating practical, beautiful alternatives for people and the planet, the project brought together local litter-picking groups along the River Taff to collect waste that became the raw material for new artworks. By combining environmental action, craftsmanship and community participation, the project reduced litter, encouraged creative reuse and strengthened people's connection to their local environment.
Community Retreat Centre
2024
This structure is the Bottega Project's most ambitious construction to date. Featuring an 18-metre-span roof with elegant compound curves, the building provides an inspiring venue for community gatherings, workshops, conferences and retreats. Combining innovative timber engineering with sustainable design, it stands as one of South Wales' most distinctive contemporary timber buildings.
Pop-up Street Garden
2021
Commissioned by Cardiff Council in 2021, this temporary public installation transformed Churchill Way into a vibrant green space. We designed, built and installed an edible garden featuring seating, sculptural elements and flowing water, creating a welcoming place where people could relax, explore edible plants and reconnect with nature in the heart of the city.
School Garden
2026
Created in collaboration with pupils from Fair Oaks Primary School, this project transformed part of the school playground into a peaceful natural space for learning, play and reflection. The garden features a flowing stone wall built from locally sourced materials, a unique timber structure inspired by the surrounding landscape, biodiverse planting, a wildlife pond and hand-carved timber gateways. Together, these elements create an inspiring environment that encourages both exploration and wellbeing.
Tea House
2023
Designed in collaboration with Roath Community Arts Project and Made in Roath, the Tea House was shaped through a creative exchange with local artists and community members. Nestled within the community garden, it offers an intimate space where two people can sit together, enjoy herbal tea made from plants growing nearby, and take time for quiet conversation and reflection.
Microhouse - Fairwater
2021
Micro-housing is a key focus of the Bottega Project. With rising housing costs making it increasingly difficult for young people to afford rent, our aim is to create affordable, sustainable homes alongside practical skills training that equips people for the future.
In 2021, we worked with eight young people aged 16–25 to design and build an inspiring, fully functional micro-house, giving participants hands-on experience in sustainable construction, design and teamwork.