55,000 sq ft green roof

This  55ksf  extensive  green  roof  serves  multiple  functions.  While  the  local  environment  benefits from  a  reduction  of  the  heat  island  effect,  minimized  storm  runoff  and  added  protection  to  the roof  membrane,  this  sedum  green  roof  transforms  a  series  of  bare,  unattractive  spaces  into  a vibrant,  lush  amenity  for  the  residents  of  this  new  development.  The  green  roof  is  perhaps  the most  visible  element  of  the  suite  of  high  end  amenities  and  finishes  envisioned  by  the  developer,  and  emblematic  of  the  continuing  evolution  of  this  historic  neighborhood.

 » Read more about: 55,000 sq ft green roof  »



Project | Brooklyn Rooftop

As Brooklyn continues to reach upward, its newest denizens demand an aesthetic which marries the past with the present. For the latest buildings, rooftop spaces are not an after-thought but are carefully engineered and planned early in the design phase, often long before there is a semblance of a space to survey.
The primary challenge with common spaces for residential buildings is to provide some level of individual privacy while developing an overall spatial design which will also foster social interaction between users. In order to achieve this balance, smaller conversational spaces which are defined through the rigid face of the wood-clad planters and accented by hearty plantings and provide a diverse mix of seating types from long benches attached to the face of the planters to moveable chairs and tables allowing for maximum flexibility. The smaller conversational spaces take advantage of the views from the outside edges of the roof while the larger common spaces are defined by plant-softened wood fences.
The materials of the space borrow from the buildings context, reclaiming many of the materials which permeated Brooklyn’s industrial heritage. Concrete, steel, aluminum and various fabrics are some of the elements which help to unite the past with the present. Transferring the feel of the sidewalk planting bed to the rooftop is achieved through the raw steel-edged green-roof garden areas which help define the spaces.

 » Read more about: Project | Brooklyn Rooftop  »


Trump Tower Transformation

The Trump Tower New York, located at 725 5th Avenue, is a 58-story mixed-use skyscraper in the heart of midtown Manhattan. As part of its public space atrium, Blondie’s renovated the exterior gardens on the 4th floor brick terrace to include additional Japanese Maples and entirely new planting beds. Located primarily in shadow, a plant palette was assembled that best suites the site conditions to provide color and texture. A layering of Japanese Maples, Ilex and Hydrangea provide the back drop for perennials of heuchera, astilbe and variegated hostas. Annual seasonal color was added to the summertime palette to provide additional color. While renovating the garden beds, particular care was given to reconstructing a healthy soil body. The key restoration features that will enable these planting beds to thrive are, amended soil with topdressing, a monitored irrigation system, appropriate plant material and an on-going, routine maintenance program. When taking on a landscape renovation, these factors are the major considerations that will determine the success of your garden project.

 » Read more about: Trump Tower Transformation  »


Plants in the Healthcare System: The Plantscapers Solution

As professional horticulturalists, Blondie’s Treehouse Inc. has worked closely with healthcare professionals to establish industry standards that maximize the benefits of having green plants within the healthcare system while minimizing the potential risks of soil borne pathogens.

 » Read more about: Plants in the Healthcare System: The Plantscapers Solution  »