Cambridge Botanic Garden has joined the Olympic gold rush.

To celebrate the Games, the team at the Cambridge University-run garden sowed a field of golden flowers back in the spring.

And as if responding to Team GB’s bumper medal haul, the meadow is now in full bloom, casting a golden glow over the garden’s entrance in Station Road.

The mix of flowers chosen by the Botanic Garden staff is the same as that developed especially for the landscaping of the Olympic Park, by Professors James Hitchmough and Nigel Dunnett of the University of Sheffield.

And like the athletes’ village, it has a cosmopolitan make-up – marigolds from South America; golden tickseed and Californian poppy from North America; corn marigolds from the Mediterranean; Cape marigolds from South Africa, and contrasting blue cornflowers, a rare annual native to the Mediterranean also found in the UK.

Dr Tim Upson, curator at the Botanic Garden, said: “We wanted to bring a touch of Olympic gold to the garden in 2012 and even on this small scale the effect of thousands of yellow-flowered annuals blooming together is fantastic.

“It must be truly remarkable down at the Olympic Park.

“Our only unintended, but very effective addition to the mix has been hundreds of sunflowers, self-sown from last year’s displays, which are coming up through the golden meadow – much like Team GB.”

Although the university term ended eight weeks ago on June 15, the Botanic Garden remains open throughout the year.

As well as being a living laboratory for the university’s scientists, it is also run as an amenity for local people in and around the city to enjoy.

In all, its 40-acre site is home to more than 8,000 species of plants.

Visitor information is available by calling (01223) 336265 or at www.botanic.cam.ac.uk.

chris.elliott@cambridge-news.co.uk

The Dog Blog

Karen will share a variety of information, including training tips, behavior, breed and health information, as well as heart-warming and comedic stories about her own dog and others.

The Fort Williams Foundation celebrated the completion of Cliffside, the first project site at The Arboretum at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, and thank donors and volunteers with an open house held Tuesday.

With more than 400 volunteers and thousands of volunteer hours, the Cliffside demonstration site reclaimed a swath of land overlooking Casco Bay that had become overgrown with invasive species. It is now planted with native and sustainable species designed to preserve the scenic vistas along the coastline. Re-exposed ledges, rock walls, and juniper, blueberry and huckleberry bushes make the natural landscape look like it has been there for years. The site also includes space for morning yoga classes that are running on Tuesday mornings through Sept. 18.

At the event, the foundation announced the next steps for the second arboretum project, the Children’s Garden, and outlined a design competition to choose the winning design.  The competition and design of the garden is being funded in large part through a $17,500 donation from the South Portland and Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club.  

The Foundation has chosen five renowned landscape architecture firms to participate in the design competition. Proposals will be submitted by early September and conceptual drawings will be on display for members of the public to view. Locations will be announced soon.  The public will be encouraged to leave their comments on which proposal they like best at the exhibitions and on the foundation’s Facebook page. Search for “Arboretum at Fort Williams Park” on Facebook.

When complete, the arboretum will consist of 15 individual landscapes throughout the Park, each highlighting unique natural features. A trail system will link these landscapes and provide greater accessibility as well as enhanced recreational and educational opportunities. The steering committee has developed a phased approach for project implementation.

The Fort Williams Foundation is launching a comprehensive capital campaign for the arboretum, which is funded through private donations and public grants. The initiative is supported by the Cape Elizabeth Town Council, Planning Board, the Fort Williams Advisory Commission, and is in accordance with the 2012 updated master plan for the park.   

For more information, visit www.arboretumatfortwilliams.org or www.fortwilliams.org.

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KIMBO Design’s Chocolate Bar Packaging Receives Recognition in Two Prestigious Award Competitions

August 08, 2012 —

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 08/08/12 —

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this release.

Vancouver branding and design firm KIMBO Design Inc. has been recognized for creative excellence in packaging design. The firm was awarded a 2012 Summit Creative Award for their Chocolate Garden packaging series. As further testament to their talent for high-end design, Chocolate Garden was also a finalist in the 2012 Design Edge Regional Design Awards.

KIMBO Design was selected by the Summit International judges from among hundreds of top design firms from all over the world. Meanwhile, Chocolate Garden was a serious contender in this year’s Design Edge “Reggie” Awards. This recognition positions KIMBO Design as a leader in packaging design solutions.

KIMBO Design was retained by local chocolatier La Petite Souris to impress customers with a sophisticated packaging design. Inspired by the art nouveau and arts and crafts movements, KIMBO Design applied a floral pattern to the designs, evoking a garden theme. Meanwhile, the rich hues complement the essential ingredient in each handcrafted bar.

“We are honoured to be recognized as an award winner in the packaging design industry,” says Kim Pickett, Principal/Creative Director of KIMBO Design. “We will be applying our sustainable design approach to similar projects in the near future.”

A leader in sustainable design, KIMBO Design opted for a simple approach to packaging. Rather than use a corrugated box, they created labels. This reduced the amount of packaging and materials required, resulting in energy savings.

KIMBO Design also worked with carbon-neutral printing company MET Fine Printers. The labels were printed using UV light cured inks. These inks are VOC-free and completely recyclable.

About KIMBO Design

KIMBO Design Inc. is a Vancouver branding and digital agency providing high-end graphic design and web development. With a key focus on campaign branding and tailored technical solutions, the KIMBO Design team is committed to delivering exceptional and personalized service for all companies desiring a superior online and offline brand.

For more information, visit www.KIMBODesign.ca, become a Facebook fan and follow us on Twitter.

To view the photo associated with this release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120803-kimb808f.jpg.

Contacts:
KIMBO Design Inc.
Reija Roberts
Copywriter / Project Manager
+1 (604) 738-6448
reija@KIMBOdesign.ca
www.KIMBOdesign.ca

Copyright @ Marketwire

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The cities of the future will need to incorporate greenery, and most cutting edge architecture includes a space for urban gardens and vertical farms. But the real cutting-edge designers and artists are taking it one step further — with projects that are half garden, half-sculpture.

Here are some new urban green spaces that are also art installations.

Artfarms

The Artfarms project is inviting artists to design “grow sculptures” — forms made from lightweight materials that will serve as frames for fruits, flowers and vegetables, to help revitalize deteriorating neighborhoods in Buffalo, NY. The Artfarms will serve as community gardens, artistic commentary and hopefully draw an audience into the declining neighborhoods.

Vertical Gardens

An impressive 21 meter tall vertical garden has recently been completed in Barcelona. The garden covers a formerly unsightly end of a residential complex. The architecture firm responsible, Capella Garcia Arquitectura, has coined the term ‘Vegitecture’ to describe the project. This multifunctional design insulates the building, provides better air quality and adds beauty to the neighborhood.
[via Atlantic Cities]

For some more breathtaking examples of vertical gardens, checkout French designer Patrick Blanc’s website. The designer shares both completed projects like the Pont Max Juvenal, Aix in Provence France and his incredible visions like the Hanging Canopies project in Dubai.

Supertrees

These amazing sculptural “Supertrees” sprout along Singapore Bay and are interconnected by an aerial skyway. Beyond being impressive superstructures for plantings, the trees collect rainwater and house solar panels that provide hot air for the neighboring biodomes, greenhouses supporting various climates. The nightly light show is pretty impressive as well. [Via Architizer]

By Lenna Scott
The Senior Network

August 6, 2012 3:10PM

• Reprints

Contributing columnist Lenna Scott

Updated: August 6, 2012 7:41PM

LINCOLNSHIRE — Hospice is a difficult word for many. Thinking of the end of life can be depressing and sometimes scary.

But a new Glenview facility is designed to reaffirm that “dying is a part of living.” Midwest Palliative Hospice CareCenter will open the doors to the first free-standing hospice specialty care center in Cook County.

Many families elect to have hospice and palliative care services provided at home, but for those who require or desire a different level of care, the Marshak Family Hospice Pavilion can provide short-term, 24-hour care.

“The whole purpose of a hospice residence is to replicate the warmth, the creature comforts you would have at home. It is a home-like environment that makes available to patients the same level of care they would have in the hospital, but it doesn’t look or feel like a hospital,” said Craig Dresang, vice president of community development for Midwest Palliative Hospice CareCenter.

The facility has 16 suites that blend state-of-the-art care for end of life with a specialized home-like comfort. Both within the suites and throughout the facility, the design takes into account that both the resident and their family and friends are going through a transition.

There are public and private spaces, including private dining rooms, family rooms, children’s play areas and an alcove with family refreshments and laundry rooms to wash and dry clothing.

The pavilion was built to receive a gold level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, one of the first hospice residences in the country to receive such certification.

“The whole idea of having the building and grounds that is eco-friendly was that we wanted to have a more gentle imprint on the environment,” Dresang said. “Projects like this are just better spaces — healthier work and living environments for staff and our families.”

The pavilion is surrounded by a community garden, the Waud Family Healing Garden, designed to be enjoyed both within the garden and from above. The healing garden was developed with input from more than 100 community residents, staff, hospice patients and their families.

“We took those ideas and incorporated them into the design of the program. The latest research is showing that nature and the ability to connect with nature is an important part of health care, especially as it relates to palliative and hospice care,” Dresang said.

The garden’s design will accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and even hospital beds. Volunteers will care for the garden, which will serve as a national demonstration site for horticultural therapy through the Chicago Botanic Garden.

“Our mission is to provide world-class palliative and hospice care, and we have a reputation of providing care in 150 facilities in the area,” Dresang said. “This building gives us the opportunity to have a world-class facility that matches the level of care we provide.”

A grand opening celebration will be in early August and patients will begin moving into the facility at the end of August. For more information, contact Midwest Palliative Hospice CareCenter at www.carecenter.org, (847) 467-7423.

Lenna Scott is the marketing director at The Wealshire, a short-term rehab, skilled nursing and assisted living community in Lincolnshire. She lives in Buffalo Grove with her husband and two children. Contact her at lscott@wealshire.com.

CHICAGO, August 6, 2012 — /PRNewswire/ —  In this issue, our editors highlight the latest trends and inspiration in kitchen and bath design. See how stone veneer and gleaming marble sit side by side in a hospitable Glencoe kitchen, and how a quick sketch leads to an ingenious island-centric renovation in Logan Square. Wake up your home spa with eye-catching color and splashes of silver and gold.

Also in the Fall issue:

• The New Colonialist: A classic red-brick, white-columned house in River Forest gets a sophisticated update.
• Charm Inc.: With all the high-tech appliances and materials used in kitchens these days, personal style can get lost. To the rescue: Martyn George, a new jewel of a shop named for owner Johanna Lowe’s father.
• Northern Lights: From the studios flourishing in its leafy lakefront suburbs to the boutiques along Green Bay Road, the North Shore has something for every design lover.
• Wet and Wild: Designer Jonathan Adler has brought four special-edition colors to a collection of Kohler enameled cast-iron sinks for kitchen and bath, and his hues evoke the 1960s in a very pleasing way.

Chicago Home + Garden‘s Fall 2012 issue hit newsstands Thursday, August 2. To schedule an interview with one of our writers or editors, please contact Allison Roche at aroche@chicagomag.com.

About Chicago Home + Garden magazine Chicago Home + Garden, distributed quarterly by the publishers of Chicago magazine, is the turn-to source for city and suburban dwellers who love interior design. Whether they are looking for inspiration, practical tips, or resources, Chicago Home + Garden’s gorgeous photography and smart copy draws readers in and keeps them coming back for more. In 2007, Chicago Home + Garden earned the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA) best ancillary publication award.

For more information, visit chicagohomemag.com

SOURCE Chicago Home + Garden magazine

Google‘s new “super” headquarters in London by designers PENSON may be home to some Union Jack flag themes, but it also has some of the amazing amenities associated with the company, like balcony gardens and places for staff to grow their own veggies.

Located in the Central St. Giles Building in London’s Covent Garden, the new 16,000 square foot space also includes such cutting-edge ideas for the workplace like a gym, dance studio (Twitter’s new HQ has a yoga studio), a cafe and a large event hall the designers have dubbed “Town Hall,” not to mention sweeping views of London.

Pension really delivered on Google’s new digs. The designers call the design a London townhouse-hybrid because they have included classic features like woolly living rooms and rooftop gardens.

Pension has named different parts of the office things like Secret Gardens, Allotments, Google Green, Google Park and Grannies Flat, seeking to combine office seriousness with a bit of playfulness.

The new design wasn’t massively expensive (at least as much as it could have been) due to a seemingly intelligent use of the existing space and materials. Just a shy of reaching LEED Platinum status, the space is full of reclaimed or recycled materials to great effect, in compliance with Google’s famed “Red List” that focuses on removing toxic ingredients of materials. Timber flood boards make it smell fresh.

The Allotments (for staffers to grow food) on the 9th floor of the building are made of little timber tubs. Employees have to put their name on a waiting list to get their own, and if a lucky allotment-tender doesn’t take proper care of their space, a wait-lister gets a chance at the plot. This way, while at work, the lucky gardeners get to spend some off-time working with herbs and veggies and work together in a non-work way. Seems fairly great.

Keeping with the theme, The Secret Gardens are private booths on a balcony (the designers say it’s sun-trapped, but I’m less inclined to believe that) that create a fun outdoor workspace with real hedge walls. The idea of being able to work outside, weather permitting, sounds really ideal.

The Gardens connect to Google’s cafe, and Google Park, which is a big garden. The cafe was designed with a retro-feel and has a view over the city. The Google Green looks out across this area, linking together the cafe, Gardens and the Town Hall, and features couches for Town Hall overflow or informal meetings.

The Town Hall seats 200, and is equipped with a velvet curtain and video wall, the Gym has showers, massage and change rooms, and even a totally necessary “bike-dry” for bicycle commuters to place their soggy bikes to dry during the work day and pick them up when they are ready to ride home.

The super HQ follows along the new trends in office buildings, especially for the more “progressive” tech companies like Apple, Google Facebook and Twitter. However, I’m all for fresh air and for trying to figure out how to make a workplace, and a job, more enjoyable for all involved.

[Dezeen]
Images: PENSION

CHICAGO, August 6, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —
In this issue, our editors highlight the latest trends and inspiration in kitchen and bath design. See how stone veneer and gleaming marble sit side by side in a hospitable Glencoe kitchen, and how a quick sketch leads to an ingenious island-centric renovation in Logan Square. Wake up your home spa with eye-catching color and splashes of silver and gold.

Also in the Fall issue:

The New Colonialist: A classic red-brick, white-columned house in River Forest gets a sophisticated update.

Charm Inc.: With all the high-tech appliances and materials used in kitchens these days, personal style can get lost. To the rescue: Martyn George, a new jewel of a shop named for owner Johanna Lowe’s father.

Northern Lights: From the studios flourishing in its leafy lakefront suburbs to the boutiques along Green Bay Road, the North Shore has something for every design lover.

Wet and Wild: Designer Jonathan Adler has brought four special-edition colors to a collection of Kohler enameled cast-iron sinks for kitchen and bath, and his hues evoke the 1960s in a very pleasing way.

Chicago Home + Garden’s Fall 2012 issue hit newsstands Thursday, August 2. To schedule an interview with one of our writers or editors, please contact Allison Roche at aroche@chicagomag.com.

About Chicago Home + Garden magazineChicago Home + Garden, distributed quarterly by the publishers of Chicago magazine, is the turn-to source for city and suburban dwellers who love interior design. Whether they are looking for inspiration, practical tips, or resources, Chicago Home + Garden’s gorgeous photography and smart copy draws readers in and keeps them coming back for more. In 2007, Chicago Home + Garden earned the City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA) best ancillary publication award.

For more information, visit chicagohomemag.com

SOURCE Chicago Home + Garden magazine

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved