The Friends of Sears Sunken Garden is working with Piet Oudolf, Roy Diblik and community members to restore North Lawndale’s historic landmark garden.

The Friends of Sears Sunken Garden (FSSG) was established as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2021. FSSG is dedicated to the restoration of the historic Sears Sunken Garden located on the former campus of Sears, Roebuck & Co. The Sears headquarters was completed in 1907 on the west side of Chicago in what is now known as the community of North Lawndale.

The design team selected for the restoration includes world-renowned garden designer Piet Oudolf, and plantsman and designer Roy Diblik. Oudolf is well known as the planting designer for the Lurie Garden in Chicago’s Millennium Park and the High Line in New York City. Chris Gent joins the team as landscape architect, having worked with the Chicago Park District, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and other City of Chicago agencies. And Odile Compagnon, architect and professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a key member of the Sears Sunken Garden design team. She has a private practice focused on sustainable and participatory design.

Working together with feedback from the community, Piet, Roy, Chris and Odile will make the vision and immersive planting designs become a reality with the many historic elements of the garden. We feel honored to work with this team because they are committed to creating gardens that fit the way people live, work and play today. Beautiful gardens that in turn contribute to a more sustainable and economically thriving place to be.