Photo by Jonathan Hanna on Unsplash

We’ve got some greenthumbs here at Archive who take their gardening seriously: starting plants from seed and nurturing them over the colder months, using mini greenhouses to acclimatize the plants and of course, building elevated garden boxes to grow vegetables, flowers and to experiment with square-foot gardening too!

Although our days are spent building other things, we thought we would share some of our favourite things about elevated garden planters:

Easy to construct
While it does take some work to acquire materials, build and set up, the long term reward is worth it. With solid garden boxes, the maintenance is low and when well built, can last for years.

Eco-Friendly
Building garden boxes (or trellises) are a great way to use scrap wood and old pallets that ultimately would end up in the landfill. Picking clean yet unique pieces adds character, depth and gives a fresh perspective on something that could otherwise be seen as “boring”.

Visually appealing
The back (or front) yard can really be amped up by creating definition and dimension with shape, size and number of garden boxes.

With a distinct growing area, the garden will have the space and exposure it needs to thrive and truly make the backyard beautiful.

Better soil = better plants
Raised garden beds allow more control over the soil and are a great option if the native soil in the area is not desirable and not great in composition (too rocky, too sandy, not enough of those helpful micro-organisms). An optimal growing environment can be created by engineering the ideal soil for whatever is being planted in the raised garden beds.

Depending on how deep the raised garden planters are, roots will have ample space to establish themselves, resulting in bigger and healthier plants. The elevation from the ground also allows better drainage and keeps the ground-dwelling plants at bay. That means less weeding!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to elevated garden boxes as many plants do wonderfully in such an environment. From first-time gardeners to seasoned greenthumbs, using the square-foot method or creating an expansive outdoor space, elevated garden boxes can create a beautifully luscious garden.

Plant on!

Spending time outdoors can keep you physically fit, focussed, less stressed and can also boost your mood. So why not develop your back (and front) yard into a space where you can enjoy the elements of nature while living comfortably?

Replenish your energy levels.

Recharge your soul.

Refresh your mind.

Extending your living to the great outdoors can contribute as a positive source of health and well-being but it will also increase the value of your home. Let’s dig in, shall we?

Bring the Indoors Out
Backyards, porches, decks are now part of everyday life: outdoor home office, outdoor dining, outdoor entertaining spaces, you name it. Consider what you love about your indoor space. Reflect that indoor vibe outdoors with playful colour - possibly incorporating the 2023 Pantone Colour of the Year, inviting furnishings, tantalizing textures and maybe even modern conveniences such as a television or an outdoor kitchen.

Define Your Deck
A straight-forward upgrade like redoing a deck can dramatically improve yard aesthetics by creating definition amongst the wilds of nature. Take a page out of nature’s book and slow down a little; create the perfect look of luxurious serenity or a bold, modern retreat. With many wood materials available, the aesthetic you’ve been visualizing can easily come to life. Composite materials are also a viable and affordable option. While it doesn’t have the same natural look wood does, it will provide a stylish, low maintenance and durable option.

Rhatigan Ridge Deck and Pergola

Create Your Oasis
A pergola is something else to consider. A simple yet striking structure, this adds to back (or front!) yard appeal but it also provides the practical use of protection from the elements. Adding greenery such as climbing flowers and leafy plants overhead can create a dense covering that could result in a serene sanctuary providing peacefulness and a warming comfort.

There are so many options to optimize the space in your backyard, front yard and even side yard. By creating distinct outdoor areas, these spaces can serve different purposes: relaxing, dining, entertaining and if you’ve got kids, a play area!

Sherwood Path Front Deck and Pergola (Photo: Archive Client)

Sherwood Park Backyard Basketball Court (Photo: Archive Client)

Consider just a few of the benefits of indoor/outdoor living:

• a quick, economical way to enhance the home without a huge renovation or addition,

• increased living space for the family,

• a unique selling point that adds to the value of the home, and

• of course, the positive effects on mental and physical health.

With summer approaching, it just might be time to upgrade your yard by adding space, function and beauty to your current home. We can help!

ROYGBIV Exhibit, Art Gallery of Alberta September 2021 - January 2022

The ROYGBIV exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta (“AGA”) ended at the beginning of 2022. If you managed to attend the AGA during its’ run from September 2021 to January 2022, you know that projects in the exhibit helped to “reveal a relationship between colour, architectural form, the inner and outer spaces they can create and the resulting effects on the human body.”

ROYGBIV featured artists who like to work with colour and through their installations, explore how mood, behaviour and even physical space is affected by it. Artists like Kapwani Kiwanga and Witthöft & Latourelle celebrate colour while causing us to reflect on the way we change when confronted by it. The tactile exhibit by Shoplifter allowed interaction and exploration through texture, various colour combinations and physical space.

But the one part of the whole show that really stood out was the short film entitled “Dammi i colori” by Anri Sala, a contemporary Albanian artist whose main medium is video. His installation reflects on the transformation of Tirana in 2003 through the use of colour on building facades. The film includes footage with Tirana's mayor at the time, Edi Rama, a close friend of Sala’s and the main force behind the city’s transformation.

Hyperlings by Shoplifter
ROYGBIV Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta September 2021 - January 2022

The film is full of contrasts: the brightly painted buildings against the background of a war torn city; the daylight leading into the darkness; dispair vs. optimism, silence vs. conversation - all inviting the viewer to reflect on the success of the project and to draw attention to that idea of hope in a place where there seemingly isn’t any; all through the application of colour to architecture.

It also forces the viewer to reflect on their own surroundings and how colour impacts the way one not only interacts (inside and out) with buildings and public spaces but with each other. It begins to form the question of how collectively, colour contributes to the overall ‘feel’ of a city. And maybe the role of colour in architecture overall.

That has been a controversial subject in the architectural world. Some think it’s not an important part of the design strategy, others think it’s vital. Based on basic colour theory, the “right” colours can summon emotional responses that create a positive connection between the space and the human.

Photo by Hergi Lici on Unsplash

“Colour has a tremendous influence on our moods and cannot be too carefully considered.”

— Frank Lloyd Wright

This exhibit proved just that. By integrating colour into building design, it can aesthetically enhance while accurately conveying purpose and function. It just has to be cleverly applied.

What are your thoughts on the application of colour in architecture?