Patrick Blanc: Converting Our City Walls into Vertical Gardens
Why Do Vertical Gardens Impact us?
Perhaps we have not had long enough to overcome our innate evolutionary attachment to nature’s greenery; it evokes something primal and deep-rooted within us. Blanc believes that his gardens are a reminder of our old habitat living in caves. And with nature tailored so to the man-made structures of our cities, you really do get the best of both worlds. That’s not even to mention the positive environmental effects that vertical gardens bring with them. Quite simply, plants draw CO2 out of the atmosphere, like poison from a wound, and through photosynthesis, release it as oxygen.
Since being introduced to vertical gardens, I walk through the streets and see the buildings surrounding me in a new way. I add vertical gardens in my mind and suddenly ugly building become beautiful. I hungrily imagine a future where they are everywhere you look.
Below, watch the 2008 ‘CreatureFree’ Interview with Patrick Blanc, and then click on to see a selection of images of his brilliant work. Be inspired!
PhytoUniverse, New York. 2006
PhytoUniverse, New York. 2006
BHV Homme Artwork. Patrick Blanc
Via Verde, Rio de Janeiro. Project for Year of France in Brazil, 2009 . Project not realised.
Caixa Forum, Madrid. Courtesy Patrick Blanc.
Caixa Forum, Madrid. Courtesy Patrick Blanc.
Dolce Vita, Lisbon. Courtesy Patrick Blanc
Drew School, San Francisco. Courtesy Patrick Blanc
SC Johnson Racine, Wisconsin, 2009. Courtesy Patrick Blanc.
Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, Siam. Patrick Blanc.
Sky Team Lounge, Heathrow. Patrick Blanc.
Torre de Crtisal Skyscraper, Madrid, Spain. Vertical Gardens adorn the top 30 feet. Patrick Blanc.
Avlabari Station, Tbilisi, Georgia. Patrick Blanc
Concept Art. Green Office Meudon. Patrick Blanc
Green Office Meudon. Complete. Patrick Blanc
Tacoma Goodwill. Patrick Blanc.
Square Felix Jacquier, Lyon. 1999. Patrick Blanc.
Parking Perache, Lyon. Completed 2010. Patrick Blanc
[...] Gardens by the Bay, featuring giant vertical gardens known as Supertrees, is nearing completion and preparing for its grand opening on 29th [...]