Exterior Lighting

All lighting design projects begin with a dark palette. We start by integrating safety lighting for basic elements, illuminating pathways, stairwells and entrances … but we don’t stop there. Like magicians, we begin to pull out design features from the shadows. Highlighting planters, pergolas and architectural structures, showcasing feature elements and objects of beauty, and creating new shapes and patterns through the interplay of light and dark. Uplighting, silhouetting and accenting are just a few techniques we use to recreate the outdoors as a nighttime environment. By purposefully incorporating exterior lighting into your design you will appreciate your space in a whole new light.

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The largest greenwall in nyc !

The growing trend of sustainable living walls in notable hotels includes one of BTH’s recent projects- creating one of new york’s largest living walls, atop the newly opened Knickerbocker Hotel in NY’s Times Square. The wall, over 1600 square feet of green space, is a mix of Hedera Helix, Parthenocissus  and other plants, including seasonal color. It is the largest wall of its kind composed of over 500 individually planted modules composed of recycled plastic that are attached to stainless steel hanging rails. This modular system not only allowed for a very controlled and varied plant design, but also enables individual modules to be easily removed as needed for design changes or maintenance. At the same time, to prevent the modules from being removed unintentionally or from shaking loose, an anti-lift arm, also made of recycled plastic, was implemented. The versatility of the rail system was also key for this project, as the green wall needed to be mounted to two different wall types. The planting medium was selected because it is specifically engineered to allow for peak plant performance. The material absorbs five times its weight in water and facilitates even irrigation, while still remaining light-weight (approximately 40 pounds per cubic foot). Because it is continuous throughout the entire wall, root growth is not limited to smaller individual cells, allowing for stronger and healthier plants. There is also no concern for excess material falling out of the wall, as the sponge-like block fits perfectly into the modules. The wall also features a state of the art computer controlled irrigation system. This innovative system can take advantage of unseasonable warm days during the winter months, irrigating the wall automatically on a warm day in the middle of the winter, for example. This 3 sided wall stands at 15 feet tall by approximately 175 feet long and can only truly be appreciated in person while visiting St. Cloud, The Knickerbocker’s rooftop bar and lounge.

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Greenwall Installation | Embassy Suites Hillsboro Or

For this Greenwall installation Blondie’s designer and national account developer Daria Snyder selected a trough system that attaches to a grid structure. Because of this wall’s high visibility, its planter trays that hold 6” plant material, can easily be planted or are accessed easily for plant replacement assuring ease of maintenance and seasonal rotations. This system relies on water wicking technology which has long been a successful method for regulating and extending watering cycles in a commercial environment. The walls dimension is 10’ H x 10’ W and incorporates approximately 200 6” plants. The plant palette was custom selected for the site’s location and relies on the contrast of color and texture of the plant material. This project highlights Blondie’s National Account Program and how it is set up to seamlessly function and manage national and international projects. After developing a design program with the client, we build a team of regional specialists and a local plantscaping company is brought onto the project and trained to assist in the installation and on-going maintenance of the project. By staying on as a project consultant, Blondie’s is able to monitor the quality and success of the installation and is a consistent presence in managing the project. With this type of hands on approach Blondie’s is able to offer custom high quality designs for multi-location and international brands.

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The Art of Replica Walls

Replica Greenwalls are catching on quickly, boasting all the visual appeal of living walls with a fraction of the maintenance. A gorgeous, inexpensive alternative to vertical plant walls, these systems look every bit as good as their living counterparts, while requiring no irrigation and almost no upkeep. A cross between botanically inspired art and horticultural collage, these replica walls layer color and texture to great effect, eliciting oohs and aahs and sparking interest and curiosity.

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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.

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