VERTICAL GARDENS

A NEW TREND IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE
(by Mike Bianchi)

In August Teufel Landscape of Washington installed one of the first “vertical gardens” in the United States. The garden was installed for Tacoma Goodwill-Milgard Work Opportunity Center in downtown Tacoma, Washington.  Goodwill commissioned French artist Patrick Blanc to design and oversee the construction of the garden.  Mr. Blanc has a 25 year history in designing and installing such gardens throughout Europe and Asia but he has worked on only a handful of such gardens in the United States.

 

 

  Mr. Blanc visited Tacoma in early September to see the final product.  He was also invited to give a lecture at the Washington State History Museum about his work and perspectives on emerging garden trends. During his lecture, Mr. Blanc shared photos of past vertical garden installations and his philosophy on vertical garden design which was quite simply, “I look at nature and that is my inspiration.”
 

  While the notion of vertical gardens is not new, implementing upright green spaces on building faces is a challenge.   Blanc’s design and installation technique is cutting edge, allowing 10-story walls to be completely covered with plants.  He accomplishes this, in part, by using planting schemes that capitalize on symbiotic relationships between species.  Mr. Blanc’s work is generating a lot of excitement within the architecture and landscape architecture communities, and I think this will have a significant impact on urban design in the next decade.
 

 
  Teufel landscape has been an industry leader in green roof installation and now we are venturing into the world of “vertical gardens”.   Although this type of garden installation was a challenge to our crew they rose to the occasion and the final product speaks to their professionalism.  I’m excited by this new trend in the landscape industry and I’m proud to be a part of a team that has the knowledge and ability to lead the way.

If you would like to see the garden please visit: 714 S. 27th Street. Tacoma, WA.