Vertical Gardens Slideshow

In a futile attempt to avoid doing my own yard work, I present a wonderful slide show of vertical gardens put together by Garden Design Magazine.

Linky

Some images just because posts with no eye candy are meh.

Highway overpass vertical garden by Patrick Blanc

Natura Towers vertical garden by Michael Hellgren

Smog Shoppe vertical garden by Jamie Durie

The Most Beautiful Video Of Our Planet You’ve Ever Seen

Reposted from Buzzfeed.

This is some of the most stunning photography from Tom Lowe you will ever lay your eyes on.  Enjoy!

The underwater mysteries of Witley Park

I think this classifies as a water feature ;)  The tale of Witley Park is a rather sad one and the original house was destroyed by fire in 1952, but the grounds are still kept by the original owner and the ballroom under the lake survives intact, along with other intriguing architectural delights.

The underwater ballroom in the lake of Witley Park

The only sign from above ground of the structure below is this statue in the lake:

Witley Park statue in the lake lit from below

A spiral staircase leads down to the rooms below the lake: 

Witley Park staircase

The sad tale of Witley Park.

Photostream from cybergibbons.

Photostream from paolo999.

LA Police Academy Gardens

A gardening tour of Los Angeles should include this lovely specimen!

Elysian Park Police Academy Garden

Elysian Park Police Academy Garden

Elysian Park Police Academy Gardens

Artist Tom Price and the PVC Forest

Artist Tom Price built this stunning forest out of PVC piping and cable ties after being entranced by the natural beauty of the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

Tom Price - PVC Forest

Tom Price - PVC Forest

Tom Price - PVC Forest

Courtesy of  Dezeen Magazine. 

Tom Kundig Can Rock a House

Ah, two of my favorite things: interesting houses that go beyond McBox and work with nature instead of against it.  Recently I saw this one by Architect Tom Kundig, built in the San Juan Islands.

The Pierre House - Architect Tom Kundig

I love that this was built right into the existing rocks in the landscape - working with the natural design of the area instead of just flattening it out.

Living room of the Pierre House - Architect Tom Kundig

All the interior and exterior fireplaces were carved right into the existing stone and stone removed during the excavation was re-used as aggregate in the concrete flooring.

Sink in the Master Bath of the Pierre House - Architect Tom Kundig

The sink in the Master Bath is also carved into existing stone.

Really, lovely work!

Olson Kundig Architects

Today is a gift of beauty and nature.