Balancing aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability in the urban landscape - Part 1

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06/01/24 • 45 min

This is our first conversation in a series of episodes that explore the balance of aesthetics, sustainability and functionality in urban landscapes. We sit down with professionals in our field to understand how they balance these three considerations.

The design, construction and maintenance of urban landscapes must consider the intended function, horticulture, the visual appeal and beauty, environmental considerations and more. Rarely are these considerations isolated when developing an urban landscape. They are intertwined and balanced by the professionals who design, build and care for them.

In this episode, we are joined by Liana Hutcheon and Phil Adams from the John Mini Distinctive Landscapes team. Together they have over 17 years of experience working on and providing solutions for urban landscapes indoors and out. We’ll discuss some of the many functions a landscape can serve. And, we’ll find the conversation gravitating toward sustainability despite it not always being their first or even second consideration when approaching an urban landscape.

Thank you for taking the time to listen. If you have any questions, ideas for future episodes, or feedback. Please email us at [email protected]. Wherever you consume your podcasts, please give us a like, review or subscribe. Your support is greatly appreciated!
And a big thank you to all our clients at John Mini Distinctive Landscapes. You allow us to make our passion our profession.
A special shout out to Keith Behringer, teammate at John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, for producing our podcast’s theme music.
Till next episode, if you are looking for some urban landscape inspiration, be sure to explore our website and portfolio at www.johnmini.com.

Previous Episode

Considering Renewal of Indoor Landscapes

In today's episode we sit down with the Chief Horticulturalist at John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, Andrew Engel, to discuss the renewal of indoor landscapes.
In the episode we discuss;

What is renewal of interior landscapes and why it needs to be considered.
The need to renew elements of indoor landscapes, such as planting medium and the plants.
How the time frame for renewal varies for each element and site.
The difference in planning for renewal of interiorscapes versus a traditional outdoor landscape, while touching on the commonalities between an interiorscape and an urban outdoor landscape.
When to start planning for renewal in urban horticulture.

Andrew has over 11 years of experience and practice in indoor horticulture and holds a Masters of Horticulture from RHS. His work with the John Mini team includes horticulture care at iconic indoor landscapes such as the Urban Garden Room at One Bryant Park, the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, the Ford Foundation atrium, and New York's largest indoor living green wall.

Next Episode

Why are outdoor urban landscapes important - Part 1

This is our first installment exploring the importance of outdoor urban landscapes. This will be a recurring conversation where we sit down with professionals in our field to understand their perspective on the importance of outdoor landscapes and horticulture in cities.

In this episode, we are joined by Keith Behringer and Phil Adams from the John Mini Distinctive Landscapes team. Together they have a combined 28 years of experience working on and providing solutions for urban landscapes. They’ll walk us through some of their early days in their career, share personal convictions on the importance of urban landscaping, and highlight shifts in construction and the market that impact the world of urban landscaping.
In our conversation we reference a report by the global firm, Gensler. Here are the clarifications from our conversation. We were referencing Gensler’s ‘U.S. Workplace Survey 2022’. The report shows that ‘Outdoor Workspaces’ rank in the tops for a worker’s experience and a space’s effectiveness. Workplaces with ‘Outdoor Workspaces’ appear to have significant positive impact on a worker’s experience and the space’s effectiveness when compared to workplaces that do not have this amenity.

At one point in our conversation, we touched on the biodiversity of New York City. If you want to geek out, here’s a pretty awesome resource from the American Museum of Natural History by Erik Kiviat & Elizabeth A. Johnson: Biodiversity Assessment Handbook for New York City.