Sunday, August 26, 2012

plants as architecture, in Boston

In contrast to the overgrown ivy covering the Istanbul townhouse in my last post, these examples below show how "green" architecture can be cultivated as a purposeful design element.

A carefully cropped patch of ivy defines this ground-level storefront and frames a large display window on Newbury Street.

The occupants of this apartment on Fairfield Street have grown two stripes of colorful leaves. The plant leaves create a soft surface that contrasts with the hard brick facade, and add a contained block of bright color to the street.

It is unclear if the architectural contribution of these rooftop trees is wholly intentional on this Fairfield Street townhouse. Evidently part of some landscaping for a rooftop deck, the effect is a dog-ear pair of living finials to add height and flamboyancy to a blocky facade. 

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