BIOBUBBLES: URBAN JUNGLE

Can different ecologies co-exist in a single armature?

Three interwoven planted sculptural branching canopies form the structural armature to support a living, tropical planted greenhouse floating within. The project, for the Jefferson Medical Hospital, spoke to how many potential life-saving drugs we have lost in the tropics, where many of these compounds are first discovered, and the need to protect these resources. Public seating at the bases allows users to interact with the planting and take in the shade they offer. A view into the interior the bubble greenhouse reveals tropical, medicinal planting that has year round aesthetic interest and can be a way for everyday users of the space to see growth up close and personal. The surrounding plaza can be a flexible space with moveable tables and chairs that surround that curved benches.

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Year: 2023

Service: Landscape architecture, technology, urban activation

Client: Jefferson Medical Institution

Firm: Terreform ONE