A new strategy for urban spaces For the first time in human history, more people are living in urban areas than rural areas. In addition, the global population is expected to increase from some 7 billion to 9 billion over the next 30 years. Landscape architecture and urban ecology need innovative strategies to ensure [...]
We now know from endless scientific research, that people need a connection to nature to be healthy. Some years back, Hanging Gardens won a design award for our ideas for greening up tiny spaces in Hobsonville. Nothing ever came of it and the developers continue to build clever, compact housing around shared green areas. [...]
Today I was asked how old I am and my response was that sometimes I feel like I am 25 and sometimes I feel like I am 90. When I feel like I am 90, the best thing for me to do is to go out into my garden for 10-15 mins and then I [...]
Today, Hanging Gardens was asked to bring some life to a tiny garden space at Hobsonville Point. The wonderful owners were both challenged with debilitating medical conditions and we were overjoyed to be able to help them and their gorgeous working dog JR, create a tranquil bit of garden for them all to enjoy. This [...]
Five years ago, Hanging Gardens started designing vertical garden products for the home gardener. The idea was to create a low cost but high quality product that worked for plants. At that time, there were just three vertical gardens in Auckland and the majority of products around the world were hydroponic and prohibitively expensive. Our [...]
It is great to see conversations about the future reaching the public and I do hope these conversations continue to educate all New Zealanders. The world needs urgent action and governments will not act unless people demand action. We need immediate action on reducing the use of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases. We need to [...]
Some months back, the Auckland Botanical Gardens ran a workshop on Epiphytes and we were introduced to the "Epiphytum" designed by Andrew Patterson. It was love at first sight. Patterson, who loves NZ forests and plants, had conceived a gorgeous double-helix viewing platform. This structure was to be partially shaded to house a collection of [...]
If, like me, you are concerned about the future, then I strongly recommend reading "2052 - A Global Forecast" by Jorgen Randers. This book should be compulsory reading for all students, teachers, business people, civil servants, government organisations and in fact - I would go so far as to say for anyone with an IQ [...]
Urban greening would not be possible without these wonderful people! Over the past 6 years, we have had the pleasure of getting to know a number of plant growers and nursery people around the country and what an honour this has been! Our cities, parks and urban infrastructures would not be the same without these [...]
A new strategy for urban gardens Hanging Gardens designed a display garden for the NZ Flower and Garden Show and along with 3 other international designers, was judged to have met the international gold standard for display gardens. With more and more apartments and smaller garden spaces, the garden was designed to show people [...]
