Why are outdoor urban landscapes important - Part 1

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06/15/24 • 37 min

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.

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

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

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.

Next Episode

What is your favorite tool in the craft of urban landscaping and horticulture?

Have you ever thought intimately about the tools you use? The selection, care, and purpose of each tool? This deep thought is a sign of someone who is passionate about their work.

In this recurring episode we highlight the importance of paying attention to the details in the craft of urban horticulture. The passionate always optimizes their process by having a clear reason why they make each decision.

We sit down with Matthew Wessol, the Director of Outdoor at John Mini Distinctive Landscapes. Matt discusses his favorite tool in urban landscaping, revealing the depth of thought in improving his craft.

Matt has practiced outdoor urban horticulture for nearly ten years. He’s worked hard from the ground up, beginning his career as an assistant foreman in landscape installations. In his early years, he transitioned to the horticultural service side of the business where he served as a Foreman, Supervisor and Account Manager in New York City. Today, he oversees the entire outdoor division at John Mini.