Judges selecting practices to design three new structures for the Royal Botanical Gardens’ Treehouses at Kew project have picked small UK firms after an international competition that garnered more than 200 entries.

Freelance architect India Aspin and freelance designer Amy Jenkins Smith beat rival shortlisted teams including one featuring Tonkin Liu with their “Polypore/Play that Fungi Music” entry in the competition category dedicated to celebrating play.

Described by Aspin and Jenkins Smith as an “ode to fungi”, the treehouse aims to recognise Kew’s expertise in fungi research, highlight the beauty of fungi, and provide accessible play space.

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