This New York City rooftop garden features a cedar pergola painted black around the frame to give it some interesting contrast to the natural interior boards. This effect makes it appear that the posts are made of metal, when in fact they are actually made of less expensive wood. Pergolas are a great way to create […]
Contemporary Cedar Pergola Read More »
We designed this rooftop garden for a yoga studio on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The planters are filled with beautiful, sinuous Japanese maples that were hand-selected for grace and form. A soft green layer of moss tops all of the planters, adding a wonderful finishing texture evocative of a forest floor. The custom-built wood deck, planters,
Rooftop Deck Gets Zen Treatment Read More »
Imagine hanging out in this roof garden in the middle of Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood at night with a group of friends. Illuminated both by the lights of nearby skyscrapers and up-lighting in the planters, this roof garden is quite the urban oasis. It features lightweight aluminum decking, ipe planters, an ipe and metal pergola, and
Custom Roof Deck: An Urban Oasis in Chelsea Read More »
We’re often asked to design outdoor common spaces for co-op apartment buildings in New York City. Spaces like this rooftop garden are meant to be enjoyed by multiple groups of people who live in the apartment building at the same time. In this situation, it’s crucial that we create the feeling of separate outdoor rooms
The news about climate change is depressing. It sometimes seems to be such an insurmountable situation that it’s hard to believe a single household could make any significant difference. And, though many Americans have begun living more eco-friendly lives, many still don’t believe the problem is real enough to warrant attention. Others have simply given
Incremental Change: Lifestyle Shifts Aimed at Improving Indoor, Outdoor Environment Read More »
Our main goals for the re-design of this public courtyard in Battery Park City were to brighten up the space and make it feel more inviting. We softened the fence lines with lush, shade-tolerant cherry laurels, which have the added benefit of being evergreen through the winter months. The white hydrangeas go a long way
Battery Park Public Courtyard Renovation Read More »
“In U.S. cities, about 15 percent of land sits unused, vacant or abandoned. These spaces are associated with increased crime and stress to residents, especially in low-income neighborhoods.” “The researchers specifically chose interventions that were inexpensive, scalable and sustainable, such that one day they could be applied to other U.S. cities. The main intervention involved
Planting Gardens Can Reduce Crime Read More »
How to Garden with Limited Space Living the urban life has a ton of perks, but gardening can be a real challenge: skyscrapers can cause inconsistent sunlight, pollutants can more easily infect your soil, and water availability is always an issue. However, planning and designing an urban garden can lead to remarkable results. A well-planned
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Success in gardening starts with proper soil preparation. Fruits and vegetables need nutrient-rich soil to grow fast and healthy. A well-prepared soil will not only promote plant growth but also minimize the needs for fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides. Here is how you can prepare garden soil for planting to optimize yield. Perform Soil Test Soil test gives
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It is a widely known fact that the use of pesticides is severely harming our planet. Wildflowers, however, are home to many beneficial insects including lacewings, ladybugs, hover flies and parasitic wasps. These insects act as natural predators to common crop pests like cereal leaf beetles and aphids. “The answer is a steady move toward regenerative agricultural
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