Custom-made fibre cement planters and outdoor furniture

The IMAGE’IN range includes custom-made fibre cement planters, pots, benches, seating and storage boxes. Manufactured in France in our workshop in the Loire Valley, IMAGE’IN products are made to order to suit the dimensions, colours and specific requirements of each project.

Architects, landscape designers, companies, local authorities and private clients: we work on both individual projects and larger-scale landscaping schemes.

What is the IMAGE’IN range?

IMAGE’IN is Atelier So Green’s range of lacquered fibre cement planters and outdoor furniture, designed and manufactured in France.

The range includes planters, pots, storage boxes, benches, seating and various outdoor landscaping elements, all available in custom dimensions and finishes.

Are IMAGE’IN planters made to measure?

Yes. Custom manufacturing is at the heart of the IMAGE’IN range: we do not keep standard products in stock.

Depending on the project and technical feasibility, we can customise the length, width, height, shape, colour and various options, including:

• water reservoirs;
• adjustable feet;
• castors;
• ground anchoring;
• watertight bases for indoor use;
• water level indicators;
• raised bases to reduce the amount and weight of growing medium required.

We can work from dimensions, sketches, architects’ drawings or technical files.

Where are IMAGE’IN planters manufactured?

IMAGE’IN products are manufactured in France in our workshops in Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, in the Loire Valley.

Every product is made to order, allowing us to adapt each planter or item of furniture to the requirements of the project.

What is fibre cement?

Fibre cement is a predominantly mineral composite material reinforced with fibres.

It offers a contemporary appearance, excellent stability and is particularly well suited to outdoor applications. For the IMAGE’IN range, the panels are cut and processed, bonded together and lacquered to create a fully finished and customisable product.

The fibre cement we use does not contain asbestos. Depending on the dimensions and design, we work with 10 mm or 15 mm Eterboard panels.

> Find out more about Eterboard fibre cement

What are the advantages of a fibre cement planter?

Fibre cement offers many advantages for outdoor planters:

• good resistance to weather conditions;
• suitable for saline and chlorinated environments;
• rot-proof;
• frost-resistant;
• Eterboard panels are non-combustible and classified A2-s1,d0 according to EN 13501-1;
• the material does not corrode;
• good stability due to its weight;
• low maintenance;
• wide choice of dimensions and colours;
• clean, contemporary appearance;
• better thermal inertia than a metal wall;
• the Eterboard manufacturing process is described as non-polluting by its manufacturer, Eternit.

Fibre cement is therefore particularly suitable for projects requiring a durable, stable and highly customisable product.

Can IMAGE’IN planters remain outdoors all year round?

Yes. IMAGE’IN planters are particularly well suited to permanent outdoor use when installed and used as intended.
As with any outdoor planter, effective drainage is essential to prevent water from accumulating in the growing medium. Water collecting at the bottom of a planter could cause damage if it freezes.

Are IMAGE’IN planters frost-resistant?

Fibre cement is suitable for outdoor use.
However, the frost resistance of a complete planter also depends on how it is used. The drainage system must allow excess water to escape so that standing water cannot freeze inside the planter.

Are IMAGE’IN planters suitable for coastal locations?

Yes. One of the main advantages of fibre cement is that it does not suffer from corrosion in the same way as metal.
IMAGE’IN is therefore particularly suitable for projects in coastal environments or locations exposed to sea spray.
Depending on the configuration, accessories, fixings and other components are also selected according to the environmental conditions.

Can IMAGE’IN planters be installed around a swimming pool?

Yes. Fibre cement is particularly suitable for environments where corrosion resistance is important.
For projects located very close to a swimming pool, we recommend informing us of the exact exposure conditions so that all components and finishes can be selected accordingly.

Are fibre cement planters heavy?

Fibre cement is heavier than aluminium.

This can be an advantage for outdoor planters, particularly where good stability against wind is required.

For rooftops, balconies, technical terraces or projects with strict weight constraints, it may be worth comparing IMAGE’IN with a lighter STEELAB aluminium solution.

Can large fibre cement planters be manufactured?

Yes, within certain limits.

We regularly manufacture large IMAGE’IN planters, typically up to sizes in the region of 90 × 90 × H 90 cm or 180 × 50 × H 60 cm.

Beyond these dimensions, soil pressure may become too high for the material and the planters may also become excessively heavy.

The possible dimensions therefore depend on several factors, including:

• shape;
• the relationship between cross-section and height;
• total weight;
• handling;
• transport;
• access to the installation site.

For very large installations, we generally recommend either dividing the project into several separate elements or considering a sheet-metal solution from our STEELAB range.

What shapes can be manufactured?

The IMAGE’IN range can be used to manufacture:

• rectangular planters;
• square planters;
• tall pots;
• tapered planters;
• narrow planters for planted screens and space dividers;
• corner planters;
• large planting containers;
• various custom shapes.

For specific geometries, we can assess feasibility from a dimensioned drawing or sketch.

Please note that curved shapes cannot be produced in IMAGE’IN fibre cement. As we work with flat, rigid panels, this range is limited to designs made from flat faces.

Can I choose the colour of an IMAGE’IN planter?

Yes. IMAGE’IN products are lacquered and available in a wide selection of colours.

The RAL Classic colour chart is our standard reference, although other colours can also be investigated depending on the project.

Colours can therefore be coordinated with façades, furniture, doors and windows, architectural elements or a project’s visual identity.

If you provide us with a physical sample, we can also colour-match it to achieve a shade as close as possible to the required colour.

Can IMAGE’IN planters be used to create a privacy screen?

Yes. IMAGE’IN planters are frequently used to create planted screens and separate different areas of a terrace, garden, patio or professional space.

Typical applications include:

• café and restaurant terraces;
• school playgrounds;
• separation between two private areas;
• office terraces and patios.

The height and width of the planter should be selected according to the plants being used, but also according to wind exposure and the required stability.

For particularly narrow spaces, some planters can be designed from approximately 20 cm wide.

Can a water reservoir be incorporated?

Yes. Water reservoir solutions can be considered depending on the planter model and the requirements of the project.
We use horticultural reservoir panels cut to size and installed at the bottom of the planter. Several types are available, providing different water storage capacities depending on the planting requirements and planter dimensions.
These panels provide both water storage and drainage. Excess water is discharged beneath the planter through drainage holes, helping to prevent water from stagnating around the roots and reducing the risk of root asphyxiation and rot.
This solution must be specified during the design stage so that the planter can be configured accordingly.

Can IMAGE’IN planters be fitted with castors or feet?

Depending on the dimensions and intended use, we can consider adjustable feet, levelling systems or mobility solutions.

When using castors, the total weight of the planted container must be taken into account. The planter itself, wet growing medium and plants can represent a considerable load.

The castors are therefore selected and sized accordingly.

Our design office is available to assess feasibility according to the specific constraints of your project.

You can contact us by email at contact@ateliersogreen.com or by telephone on +33 2 47 65 13 62.

Can IMAGE’IN be used to create benches and seating?

Yes. The IMAGE’IN range is not limited to planters.

We also manufacture benches, seating, storage boxes and combinations of furniture and planting.

A timber seat can, for example, be incorporated into the design. This solution is ideal for creating integrated seating, but it is important to note that the storage compartment beneath a slatted timber seat is not watertight and is therefore unsuitable for storing items sensitive to moisture or dirt.

Where watertight storage is required, an aluminium lid is the preferred solution.

Are IMAGE’IN storage boxes watertight?

It depends on the model.
Storage boxes with an aluminium lid are designed to protect their contents from rain, whereas models fitted with slatted timber seating are not watertight.
The timber slats are deliberately spaced to provide adequate ventilation and to allow the wood to expand and contract naturally.
The required level of protection should therefore be specified during the design stage, depending on whether the box will be used to store cushions, gardening equipment or items that are not sensitive to moisture.
We can then recommend the most suitable design.

Is IMAGE’IN only available to professional customers?

No.

Atelier So Green works with architects, landscape designers, companies, contractors, waterproofing specialists, local authorities, hotels, restaurants and other landscaping professionals, as well as private clients.

The same custom manufacturing possibilities are available to both professional and private customers, subject to the technical constraints of each project.

How can I request a quotation for an IMAGE’IN planter?

To help us assess your project quickly, please send us:

• the required dimensions;
• the quantity;
• the installation location;
• whether the product will be used indoors or outdoors;
• the required colour;
• any additional options;
• the delivery address;
• a sketch, drawing or photographs, if available.

Our team can then recommend a configuration suited to your project.

Do you have a fibre cement planter or outdoor furniture project?
Send us your dimensions, drawings or simply your initial idea. Our design office will help you define the most suitable IMAGE’IN solution for your project.
> Request a quotation