What is Living Architecture?

Someone on Twitter recently asked me about living architecture. So, what is Living Architecture? Well, what is architecture?  Google tells me that it is the ‘art or practice of designing and constructing buildings.’  By extension, then, living architecture could be defined as the practice of integrating vegetation into the design and construction of the built

Black Eyed Susan at Boschert

Just a few more photos from my recent visit to the Boschert Greenway Living Retaining Wall.  If you are in the St. Louis region, follow Highway 370 through St. Charles, the wall will be visible from the road near the N 3rd Street exit.  As it grows out and the Missouri native plants establish, the

Boschert Greenway Living Wall

The Ribbon Cutting for the Boschert Greenway in St. Charles was today.  A living retaining wall (visible from Highway 370), native landscaping, and permeable pavement make this trail stand out as an example of sustainable development and Low Impact Development.  This is part of an effort to build up parks, greenways, and trails by Great Rivers Greenway and

Your wall should be alive!

You’re likely reading this from within the walls of your home or business.  If you are reading this outside, you’re likely not far from a building or any other man-made structure.  People spend 90% of their time inside.  And 82% of the people in the U.S. reside in urban or suburban areas.  Urban areas have

A Green Retaining Wall

During my studies at SIUE, I was introduced to innovative technologies that are designed to address urban environmental problems.  Green roofs, blue roofs, green walls, rain gardens, bioswales, etc. can help mitigate stormwater runoff and/or the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE).  I conducted  my thesis project on a specific kind of green wall, a green