Monday, December 12, 2011

Puerto Rico Pleasures

Nature's design. It's where I find so much inspiration.

Here are some inspiring photos from my recent trip to Puerto Rico.


We spent a day at the Jardin Botanico de Rio Piedres 



Are they leaves or a butterfly? 


Forms mimicking one another.

Nature's design can instruct us in our own plant choice decisions. Look around your landscape and repeat forms to add continuity and cohesiveness. Your mind's eye will remember and subconsciously relate the forms weather plant, animal, or man made.








Sculptures dot the gardens.

 Color and abundant foliage bring vibrancy and lushness to this tropical garden which attracts butterflies, birds, reptiles and amphibious wildlife.

Sparkling in the sun from a short downpour gives this flower a fluorescent appearance. 

I also found some wonderful design at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro the 16th century citadel in old San Juan.



We incorporate nature's designs into our architecture and landscapes...bringing nature to the city reminds us of the wild and bringing architecture into the wild reminds us of civilization. The juxtaposition of free flowing lines against formal structures brings balance and that is why we bring the two together so often in landscape design.