Drawing on vernacular architecture could be a way of making our cities more resilient to an ever-changing climate. Read the article by Angely Mercado here.
Good Advice from the Perfect Earth Project →
Some great landscaping tips from our good friend Edwina von Gal at the Perfect Earth Project:
Let nature do the nurturing.
No toxic fertilizers or insecticides. Fertilizers overstimulate plants and make them susceptible to disease. The right plant for your soil doesn’t need them. Insecticides are not target specific, they kill beneficial insects and soil organisms. You don’t depend on your landscape to eat, so why not share it with a host of wonderful life forms that could find refuge there?
Retain, recycle and reimagine all biomass. Keep what your property produces (grass clippings, leaves, twigs, weeds, etc.) and feed it back to the soil. It is the food your place made for itself. Better than anything you can buy, and without the carbon footprint.
Plant at least 2/3 native plants. Plants did fine without us humans for eons, so if you plant the ones that evolved in your conditions, they will still be fine with very little from you. Plus, they provide just the right food and shelter for local birds and pollinators.
Avoid and remove invasive plants. Get to know which plants are invasive. Don’t buy them. Remove and replace any you have already got.
Water properly. Very seldom. Very deep. Over-watering is one of the most common landscape malpractices. It leads to a wide range of plant and soil problems and promotes tick and mosquito populations.
Minimize pruning. Every cut is a wound. Plant with plenty of space for trees and shrubs to grow to their natural shapes. Leave deadwood and standing dead trees, unless positioned dangerously, they provide unique food and nesting opportunities.
Relax and enjoy. Your landscape is not your living room; forcing it to be tidy, clipped, and fixed in time is “dead room.” Let it be alive; always changing and creating new surprising delights for you.
Great Time at the IDAs →
We had a great time at the Innovation in Design Awards back in November! Hosted by the Greenwich Country Club and sponsored by Cottages & Gardens, the evening was a special tribute to our good friend Joeb Moore. Check out the highlights below!
Most Popular Architecture Projects on Architizer in 2022 →
As 2022 drew to a close, Architizer rounded up their database’s top 10 most-viewed, user-uploaded architecture projects from the past year. See if your favorite made the list!
Why Roman Concrete Still Stands Strong →
Scientists have cracked the secret to Roman water-based structures’ strength – and findings could help today’s builders. Read the informative article by Nicola Davis here.