Baldev Lamba, Principal of Lamba Associates, is also a Professor of Landscape Architecture at Temple University. He was the project coordinator for the following flower show exhibits that were undertaken by the students, faculty and staff in the department of landscape architecture and horticulture.
Green Renaissance – ‘Bella Italia’ Philadelphia Flower Show 2009
The Italian traditions are adapted and transformed to reflect the 21st century quest for sustainable living grounded in the use of indigenous and recycled materials and conservation of our natural resources.
The exhibit includes a Kitchen Garden, a Dry Garden, an Orchard, and a Water Table in a formal tri- axial plan. The whole exhibit is framed by a copper aerial aqueduct for rain water harvesting that irrigates the gardens, and creates a variety of water features. An inclined green wall and a terrace wall provide a unique backdrop to the Water Table.
Sustainable features include recycled pallets for garden walls, porous gravel paving; salvaged chain, old barrel for water features; recycled lumber for the Water Table and mostly native plant associations suited to the availability of water- from moist to dry.
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AWARDS
1. PA/DE ASLA Merit Award
2. PHS Award of Distinction
3. The American Horticultural Society Environmental Award
4. Special Achievement Awards of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania
5. Men’s Garden Club of Delaware Valley Award
6. Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America Award
METROMORPHOSIS - TRANSFORMING THE URBAN WORLD
‘Passport to the World’ Philadelphia International Flower Show 2010
‘METROmorphosis’ demonstrates creative and practical ideas to transform the largely asphalt and concrete fabric of urban landscapes through the introduction of living ecosystems and conservation of natural resources.
The exhibit is inspired by sustainable examples from around the urban world, such as Duisburg Nord Landscape Park, Germany.
The minimalist design of the exhibit is influenced by the works of Barragan and Burle Marx, juxtaposed with the use of industrial materials and representations of the exuberant ecosystems and food production. The design goal is to promote conservation of natural resources in an urban context.
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AWARDS
1. Best in the Show – Academic Educational category. The
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Flower Show Award
2. The American Horticultural Society Environmental Award – for an exhibit of horticultural excellence which best demonstrates the bond between horticulture and the environment, and inspires the viewers to beautify homes and community through skillful design and appropriate plant material.
3. Bulkley Medal of the Garden Club of America – awarded to a special exhibit in the fields of horticulture, botany, or conservation. The exhibit must be one of exceptional educational merit, which increases the knowledge and
awareness of the viewing public.
4. Philadelphia Unit of the Herb Society of America Inc. Award - for an outstanding use of herbs or an individual specimen herb.
Ecolibrium - French Traditions Modern Interpretations
Philadelphia International Flower Show 2011 – Springtime in Paris
Springtime in Paris evokes images of charm, romance and style. The innovative and
creative spirit of the Parisian culture has been a source of influence and inspirations.
From aristocratic control of nature of the baroque period to cubism, expressionism, abstraction, and eventually a natural paradigm, these movements reflect and shape our social, political, and cultural values.
The design of ‘ecolibrium’ is inspired by the works of legendary landscape architect
Le Notre, the modern art of Mondrian and the impressionist art of Monet. It represents Modern Interpretations of the French
traditions.
The iconic elements of French gardens – orangaries, parterres, water canals along with ideas of reflection and optical illusions, are transformed through application of Mondrian’s ideas of abstraction and
asymmetrical balance. Ideas of stainability and celebration of natural processes are an
integral part of the form and image.
Starting with a conceptual diagram and ending with construction, the scope of work included developing a graphic logo, designing T-shirts, and preparing educational brochures and signage.
The interdisciplinary collaboration of the Landscape Architecture and Horticulture programs extended the comfort zone of the students and promoted teamwork, creativity, endurance, and perseverance.
L’ Orangerie
An Orangerie, used to extend the planting seasons and to grow exotic plants, was an important part of classical French garden tradition.
Our modern interpretation, an ensemble of greenhouse, storage and garden entrance, features a green roof and a
vermicompost bin for waste composting.
The representation of a green house includes colorful glass panels in a Mondrian inspired pattern.
Le Bassin
Water, shaped into pools, canals and elaborate fountains, is a central feature of the classical French garden.
Le Bassin, inspired by classical French gardens and by Monet’s garden at Giverny, represents a modern idea of a rain garden.
Rainwater runoff from the greenhouse is directed to Le Bassin with aqueducts and a custom rain chain, made of bicycle parts.
Plants used in the rain garden filter out pollutants and oxygenate the water, creating an aquatic ecosystem.
Le Parterre
Parterres composed of intricate geometric patterns are perhaps the most iconic features of classical French gardens.
Le Parterre, laid out in a Mondrian-esque grid, combines fruit trees, fragrant herbs and evergreen hedges with colorful decorative plantings.
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Sustainability
Using sustainable practices and materials was a major focus of this exhibit. Rainwater harvesting, green roof, porous paving and the use of recycled materials and products imparted a unique character to the project.
Currently under development and testing, Papercrete is a mixture of newspaper pulp, cement, and lime that is similar to adobe or stucco. It was used on the garden and shed walls. It can be formed into blocks for building or applied over a wall like plaster.
PlastisoilTM, also under development and testing, is a mixture of crushed plastic bottles, soil, and limestone gravel, to make porous pavers used in the exhibit.
Used in the construction of garden walls, Mushroom wood is a by-product of mushroom farming. Reclaimed lumber was used in the framing of garden walls, the green house and the shed.
AWARD:
Bulkley Medal of the Garden Club of America – awarded to a special exhibit in the fields of horticulture, botany, or conservation. The exhibit must be one of exceptional educational merit, which increases the knowledge and awareness of the viewing public.
NOTE:This exhibit was selected to be the main feature of PHS (Pennsylvania Horticultural Society) Pop Up Garden located at 1919 Market Street, Philadelphia. Please see Urban category in the menu for details.
