The Botanical Garden of Medellín is full of surprises, none greater than the Orquideorama

The Orquideorama is a competition-winning design by the ad hoc team of Felipe Mesa/Plan:B + J.Paul and Camilo Restrepo/JPRCR Arquitectos. Ten hexagonal ‘trees’ of steel tubes rise up to support a space frame that is covered by glass and screened by wooden slats. Orchids are planted at the base of each tree. Over the past four years, this all-weather enclosure has hosted weddings and concerts, in addition to its everyday role as a public plaza. It’s the perfect symbol of the city’s regeneration.