There is no denying the numerous benefits of incorporating plants in interiors or Plantscaping. Whether for practical, aesthetic, or psychological purposes, integrating vegetation indoors has become a global trend. While there are basic guidelines for incorporating greenery into homes, the specific plant selections and placements vary across different regions.
By examining recent interior design works, we can identify recurrent patterns in plantscaping that reflect distinctive climates, building styles, and traditional techniques. While the choice of plants may differ depending on favorable growth conditions and local availability, the main distinctions lie in the surrounding environment, display methods, and intended purposes. Some plants serve the purpose of improving mental well-being, while others are essential for cooling or small-scale farming.
Touches of Green
Typically observed in European, North American, and certain South American cities, the "Touches of Green" trend involves the use of easy-to-maintain potted plants to accentuate interior architectural and structural elements. Placed strategically in central areas such as living rooms and kitchens, these few touches of green provide comfort and visual engagement against raw material backdrops like concrete, wood, and steel.
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Building Between Party Walls in Hostafrancs / estudi08014, Spain
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Lorimer Street Townhouse / Elizabeth Roberts Architecture and Design, United States
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Apartment AMRA7 / Piratininga Arquitetos Associados + Bruno Rossi Arquitetos, Brazil
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Expansion of Apartment in Brazil Building / Alvorada Arquitetos, Brazil
Vertical Greenery
Regions with year-round warm temperatures and high humidity, such as South Asia and parts of South America, have embraced the "Vertical Greenery" trend. Passive ventilation and natural illumination techniques, such as skylights, create an ideal environment for abundant greenery to thrive indoors. These plants not only regulate the indoor temperature and purify the air but also provide recreational areas for the residents. Native trees and shrubs flourish in this setting, extending vertically.
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Ma House / Gerira Architects, Vietnam
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Villa City / Story Architecture, Vietnam
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Inside Uniform House / NNA+, Vietnam
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HALAMAN The Courtyard House / ZERO STUDIO, India
Planted Grounds
A common trend in South American and South Asian homes, "Planted Grounds" involves the creation of sunken gardens within interiors. These gardens promote temperature regulation and provide visual stimulation at eye level. They can also be used to separate interior spaces, creating pathways or visual barriers between different functional areas of the home.
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Q04L63 House / mf+arquitetos, Brazil
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House That Rains Light / LIJO RENY architects, India
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Prim House / Studio Locomotive, Thailand
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The Diary House / DA VÀNG studio, Vietnam
Lush Hospitality
Frequently seen in North Asian countries, "Lush Hospitality" involves the addition of potted or artificially grown greenery in abundance in cafes, restaurants, and hotel common areas. This curated interior landscaping aims to provide users with an immersive experience while offering a certain level of privacy in public spaces. However, the abundant greenery requires careful selection as it receives limited natural light and regular watering.
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SHIROIYA Hotel / Sou Fujimoto Architects, Japan
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K5 Tokyo Hotel / Claesson Koivisto Rune, Japan
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Hotel Kiro Hiroshima / Hiroyuki Tanaka Architects, Japan
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Upperhouse Namsan Exhibit Hall "Only Invited" / STRX Architects, South Korea
Interior Green Courtyard
The "Interior Green Courtyard" trend, commonly found in European and South American homes, involves the creation of semi-enclosed green buffer zones that connect multiple areas of the house. These courtyards allow all surrounding rooms to have views of the greenery and can serve as recreational spaces. With limited sunlight and direct irrigation, they require ongoing care but can also be utilized for growing edible vegetation.
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AM House / Horma, Spain
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Iturbide Studio / Taller de Arquitectura Mauricio Rocha + Gabriela Carrillo, Mexico
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CRL House / RAUM 4142 Architecture Office + Javier Cabanes, Spain
Please note that additional regions will be included as appropriate references become available. You can find more projects in this My ArchDaily folder created by the author.
This article is part of the ArchDaily Topic: Green. Every month, we explore topics in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and projects. Learn more about our monthly topics. As always, we welcome contributions from our readers. If you have an article or project you'd like to submit, contact us.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 01, 2021.