Your garden no longer has to be restricted to a horizontal layout. Vertical gardens in the form of living retaining walls are an ideal way to manage grade changes on your property. Other benefits include storm water management, air quality improvement, energy savings and noise reduction.  “You can plant your entire garden within the pockets of the wall,” says Mark Woolbright, owner and founder of The Living Wall Co. “Even vegetation can grow on your wall.”

When it comes to decorating small spaces, many believe in the “less is more” tack. But Nick Decker favors the opposite approach. His Lafayette Square townhouse, just 1,200 square feet, is practically stuffed to the gills.

A 20,000-square-foot, turn-of-the-century industrial space would be any architect's dream project. For Jeannie Brendel, Brendel Architects, this dream home has been a collaborative project for more than 10 years. Now nearly complete, the architecturally savvy elements are shining. Working with builder Chris Pagano, Pagano Development, as well as countless talented craftsmen, the homeowner and Jeannie have created a turn-of-the-century industrial space sure to inspire. Detailed elements include ornamental ironwork custom designed by Eureka Forge.

When spring finally blossoms in Missouri, especially after what seems like an endless  winter of gray skies, snow and cold, one cannot help but notice the renewal of nature, from the budding of the trees and shrubs with new leaves to the first flowers of the season poking their way up through the no-longer-frozen earth, and blossoming into colorful bouquets.  

Just 30 miles from downtown St. Louis resides the Midwest’s largest private residential solar farm at the time of its installation. One of the top five nationally, the photo voltaic system was installed by Bates Electric to power the approximate 20,000 square-foot, turn-of-the-century industrial space designed by Jeannie Brendel, Brendel Architects, and built by Chris Pagano, Pagano Development. (Also featured on page 55 of this issue).

Cape Wind Offshore Wind Farm, Cape Cod, MA
Photography courtesy of Cape Wind and Hy-Line Cruises