OPEN AD architecture bureau has designed an update to an apartment building in Riga, Latvia, that added two glass-fronted levels to the original facade, allowing it to fit within the neighboring buildings, as well as an updated rear exterior that overlooks a courtyard.
As part of the design of the new exterior of the apartment building, ‘flying’ conifers and bonsai trees were placed in cantilevered planters.
The conifers and bonsai trees are both an homage to and a modern interpretation of Art Nouveau, with its nature-inspired motifs.
The architects designed special stands and boxes for them to ‘fly’ at many levels, be visible at all times, provide comfort and inspiration to residents, and act as an innovative way to add greenery to the city.
The plants are at the heart of the building’s identity and are reflected in the logo, graphic design, and the entrance gates into the courtyard.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the building…
The apartment building in the city’s historical center comprises the remaining 20th century Art Nouveau facade with a new volume added.
The various building lobbies and common rooms have been designed with historical touches and modern furnishings, which provide spaces to meet and mingle with other residents.
Bold patterned floors create eye-catching black and white elements throughout the building.
Photographer: Klavs Loris | Creative architecture: Open AD (Zane Tetere-Sulce, Kristaps Sulcs, Dins Vecans, Undine Linde, Zane Legzdina) | Technical architecture and management: KROKS (Dita Lapina, Edmunds Slavinskis, Ilze Rudzate, Ritvars Krastins) | Construction: Velve | Construction supervisor: P.M.G. | Developer: R.Evolution City | Tree installation: Labie Koki | Engineering: Inženieru birojs B?ve un forma
Built-In Planters Add Privacy And Greenery To This Home’s Exterior
SPNG Architects has designed a home in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for clients who love nature, trees, and animals.
To incorporate the natural elements into the design of the house, planters have been added to the exterior.
Directly facing the west sunlight, the facade has an installation of a potted plant system that covers different sections of the home.
Each rectangular planter is connected to supports that line the planters up and create a checkerboard pattern.
The underneath of each planter has holes that allow for the water to drain onto the planter below it.
Apart from adding plants to the street, the planters also offer privacy for the interior spaces, while still allowing the light to travel through.
Here’s a diagram that shows how the planters were designed by the architects.
Let’s take a look at some of the other areas of the house…
The ground floor has a large sliding glass door that opens to a work area with a large wood table.
Steel stairs with a black finish connect the various levels of the home.
The first floor is dedicated to the bedroom, that has views of the planters.
The stairs continue up into the home and passes by a shelf filled with painted plants.
The second floor is home to the dining room, living room, and kitchen, all of which enjoy a balcony, where even more plants can be found.
At the top of stairs there’s an art studio with simple white walls and space for creating.
Looking back towards the stairs, and there’s a wall accented by small square glass block windows.
Here’s a diagram that shows the layout of the home.
Photography by Hiroyuki Oki | Architecture Firm: SPNG Architects | Lead Architects: Tran Ngoc Thach | Design Team: Tran Ngoc Thach, Nguyen Trung Thanh | Contractor: Phu Thinh Hoang company
Tiered Seating With Built-In Planters Was Designed For The Base Of These Stairs
New York-based firm Workshop/APD has designed the master plan of AutoCamp Cape Cod, a 14-acre site that includes accommodations like cabins, Airstreams, and tents, a clubhouse featuring a mid-century modern lounge with an indoor fireplace and cozy seating, a general store, and restrooms with luxury showers.
One of the interior design details that caught our eye was the inclusion of tiered seating in the Clubhouse.
Made from concrete the tiered seating has wood benches as well as flat cushions that make it a comfortable spot to relax close to the fireplace.
The tiered seating has been designed so that some of the levels meet up with the steps of the stairs, creating a seamless appearance.
To soften the look of the concrete tiers and to add a natural element, the designers included built-in planters on two different levels that house a variety of plants.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the Clubhouse.
The modern building has a wood exterior, with both a natural finish and a darker finish, as well as large expanses of windows.
The wood elements continue inside, with light wood walls and ceiling. Matching the walls and ceiling is a welcome desk in the lobby area.
Around the corner from the welcome desk is a bar and kitchen area with a long island.
Adjacent to the bar/kitchen is a large table that can be used for casual working or relaxing. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the interior with natural light.
There’s also a lounge area with couches that separates the table from the fireplace by the tiered seating.
Upstairs, there are further seating areas with comfortable furnishings and floor-to-ceiling curtains.
Large sliding glass doors open to a covered balcony that has outdoor dining with views of the water and surrounding landscape.
Back inside, and there’s a conference room with tables in a U-shaped layout, as well as smaller round tables for more intimate meetings.
The bathrooms have dark wall tiles that complement the black frame of the round mirror, as well as the faucet and nearby door.
The interior of the shower rooms is the opposite, with bright white tiled walls that contrast the black shower heads and hardware.
There’s also a general store that carries a variety of items like drinks, souvenirs, and snacks.
Photography by Matt Kisiday | Lead Contractor and Developer: Blue Flag Partners | Real Estate Investment Management Company: Whitman Peterson | Design: Workshop/APD
Modern Cork Planters Are Great For Showing Off Succulents And Cacti
Owner and designer Jenny Espirito Santo of Mind The Cork has created a collection of minimalist hanging and tabletop planters made from cork.
The collection includes a hanging planter as well as a variety of tabletop planters, some with color accents, and each handmade in her own studio or by small manufacturers she works with near London, England.
Being a sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable material, the natural cork Jenny uses for her planters is sourced directly from the harvesters in Portugal.
Harvesting cork doesn’t require the trees to be cut down, helping to maintain wildlife diversity and promote reforestation.
Hanging Planters Add A Decorative Accent To Any Empty Wall
Elisheva Manekin of LoopDesignStudio has created a collection of hanging planters that are ideal for small plants, succulents, and cacti.
Based out of Israel, each hanging planter has a minimalist design, and hangs from wood dowel with a leather strap that cradles the plant pot.
The wood ring at the bottom of the design, helps to provide support to the optional lightweight aluminum planter, which includes a saucer for self watering.
12 Ideas For Including Built-In Wood Planters In Your Outdoor Space
Wood planters can help make an outdoor space feel warm, welcoming, and natural while simultaneously making it feel contemporary and clean. Here are eight examples of wood planters that have been built into the yard or patio design that add texture, depth, and style to each space.
1. These built-in wood planters match the wood fence surrounding them to make for a cohesive backyard oasis.
Designed by Growsgreen Landscape Design.
2. Tall built in planters surround this dining area making it feel separate from the rest of the space, creating a more intimate feeling.
Designed by Future Green Studio. Photography by K-Taro Hashimura.
3. This wood planter is made from the same wood as the rest of the deck, but the lines run in the opposite direction. Using the same material makes it feel cohesive, but the lines running in a different direction signals that the planter is distinctly separate from the deck.
Designed by Tim Davies Landscaping. Photography by Grab Photography.
4. These large wood planters create a space for greenery, and as the plants grow, will contribute to making the patio more private as well.
Designed by MR.MITCHELL.
5. The light wood planter made from the same wood as the rest of the fence adds dimension to this patio. The knotty wood adds to the natural feel going on in the space.
Designed by New Eco Landscapes. Photography by Lori Cannava.
6. The contrast between the dark wood and the concrete wall add style and functionality to the back yard in the form of seating and planters.
Designed by ddb – Design |Development |Building.
7. The wooden planters on this rooftop terrace create a cozy atmosphere and liven up the space with color and texture.
Designed by Adolfo Harrison.
8. This long wooden built in planter houses plants and contributes to the water feature in the backyard, adding softness and contrast to the the concrete wall behind it.
Designed by Envision Landscape Studio. Photography by Joe Dodd.
9. This backyard with a slide, makes use of triangular wooden planters to deal with the slope of the yard.
Designed by Eldridge London. Photography by Lyndon Douglas.
10. This fully landscaped backyard has wooden planters incorporated into the built-in bench seating.
See more photos of the backyard here. Landscaping designed by Terremoto. Photography by Bruce Damonte.
11. These planters on a Chicago rooftop deck provide plenty of room for greenery and they even include space for a hammock.
See the full rooftop design, here. Designed by dSPACE Studio. Photography by Tony Soluri.
12. The built-in wood planters on this rooftop space are used to separate the dining area from the lounge area.
See the full rooftop design, here. Designed by dSPACE Studio. Photography by Evan Thomas.
9 Ideas For Including Weathering Steel Planters In Your Garden
Weathering steel, also known as COR-TEN steel, is a popular material to use as garden planters for many reasons. Many people find it aesthetically pleasing, it’s durable, and it adds an earthy industrial look to any environment it’s added to.
Here are 9 examples of built-in weathered steel garden planters bringing style, texture, and color to backyards and patios.
1. The use of succulents and other desert plants in these weathered steel planters create a low maintenance garden that looks good all year round.
Designed by D-CRAIN
2. Huge planters fill the backyard patio of this family home and make dinner parties feel like they’re taking place in the well-groomed great outdoors.
See more photos of the home, here. Designed by Bates Masi Architects. Photography by Michael Moran.
3. The rows of succulents and large rocks within these weathered steel planters help make the front of this desert house welcoming and increase the home’s curb appeal.
See more photos of the home, here. Designed by Kendle Design Collaborative. Photography by Winquist Photography.
4. Short built-in weathered steel planters around the perimeter of this patio add color and texture to the space with the grassy plants keeping things soft and welcoming.
Designed by KUBE architecture. Photography by Greg Powers.
5. The color of the weathered steel of this oversized planter matches that of the wood doors on the exterior of this home.
Designed by Ben Miller Design. Photography by Mark Peters.
6. The round steel planters inside the even larger concrete planters create depth and add texture to the gardens on this outdoor patio.
Mosler Lofts by Kenneth Philp Landscape Architects. Designed and built in collaboration with Mithun Architects and the Schuster Group. Photography by Steve Young.
7. These planters made from curved sheets of weathered steel, add dimension and create extra space for more plants without being boxy.
Designed by Olivine Land.
8. This planter / bench combination made from wood and weathered steel lets someone sit and enjoy the garden.
Designed by Articulated Design Landscape Architecture.
9. This weathered steel planter spirals out of the ground to add height and an artistic touch to the garden.
Designed by Exteriorscapes.
10 Excellent Examples Of Built-In Concrete Planters
On its own, concrete can feel cold and uninviting. With greenery, grasses, and plants spilling over the edges of it though, concrete takes on a whole new feel and can help liven up a space. Here are ten examples of built in concrete planters bursting with life.
1. These built-in concrete planters welcome people to this home and add color and texture to the exterior.
Designed by SHKS Architects. Photography by Dale Lang.
2. The painted built in concrete planters on this patio provide a space for seating, while the unique design provides dimension and texture.
Designed by Lucy Bravington
3. This concrete planter full of rocks, pebbles, and plants is like a little desert scene.
Designed by Grounded – Modern Landscape Architecture
4. The large square concrete planter in this yard divides the entertaining area from the the rest of the garden, and looks great while doing it.
Danville by Envision Landscape Studio. Photography by Joe Dodd.
5. Large concrete planters fill this back patio and create lots of space for plants without making it feel overrun or unmanageable.
Designed by Kathleen Shaeffer Design. Contractor Lincoln West. Concrete by Shan Gilmore. Metal Work by L:M:N:O Arts. Photography by Kathleen Shaeffer.
6. Concrete pipes were used to created designated planters in this garden show entry.
See more photos of the garden here. Designed by Alison Douglas. Photography by Tim Turner.
7. Custom concrete planters were designed for this garden, and the designers have paired them with Ipe decking to create a contemporary look.
Designed by Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture.
8. These concrete planters at a home in North Idaho, have been made from poured-in-place board-form concrete.
Designed by Uptic Studios. Photography by Shaun Cammack.
9. Large built-in concrete planters frame the small patio area and provide a place for some greenery.
Designed by Rhodes Architecture + Light. Photography by Josh Meharry
10. Custom smooth concrete vegetable boxes have been designed at varying heights to add interest to this garden.
Designed by Better Landscape. Photography by Kiet Do.
Bisqit Has Launched A Collection Of Modern Planters For The Home
Designer Zuzana Firla of porcelain studio Bisqit, has launched a collection of modern planters that have a simple aesthetic.
With a desire to create, Zuzana drew inspiration from wabi- sabi philosophy and aesthetics, focusing on the method and link between simplicity, utility and beauty.
Zuzana created the collection to have clean lines that define the overall shape. It’s made in three different finishes – black, light tan, and red clay.
Made in Prague (Czech Republic), the three planters in the collection come in a range of sizes from 3.5 inches to 6 inches (9cm to 15cm) tall.
Each pot has little holes in the bottom to allow for drainage, as well as separate waterproof saucer.
Modern Black Wall Planters With Geometric Designs
Kate Deer, owner, creator, and interior designer at Eco Deer has designed a collection of modern wall planters, that she’s named “Lines”.
The planters, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes, have simple yet artistic designs, that hold a single pot and can display plants like cacti, vines, and succulents.
Each wall planter in the collection is made from metal, which has then been painted black, providing a strong contrast for any wall, however its delicate design makes sure that it isn’t overpowering in an interior.
