GARDENS FOR THE GREATER GOOD
A team of architects and designers utilizes their skills for a cause
Five months ago, I was at a yearend party of an architects’ group at a new posh hotel. Their projections were optimistic— 2020 will be a “memorable” year filled with launches of new brands, exciting projects, and dazzling innovations. An architect friend even quipped that my head would spin writing about all these projects left and right. Then out of the blue, three months into the year, a pandemic abruptly arrived. It came and conquered. And all things—launches, exhibits, previews, and events— stopped temporarily or permanently.
If there’s any good that this pandemic pause has done, it challenged architects to sit back, think, and look at things “differently.” Instead of planning the next concrete landmark, Filipino architects have volunteered to design and build quarantine facilities and isolation centers for use of Covid19 patients. Some have also presented plans on how architecture can help transform commercial spaces in order to survive the “new normal” that is coming.
There is also a company, this time, of landscape architects who is “hitting two birds with one stone”—first, by using time and talent to reach out to those in needand, second, by raising awareness of the importance of green living spaces as communities enter the general community quarantine.
Plontur, a company that started in 2017, has carved a reputation for its landscaping projects that have enhanced open spaces in homes, buildings, and commercial areas. This pandemic has temporarily disrupted what they do, but they have found a creative—and helpful—way of using their skills via a project called “Gardens for Good.”
“It is a challenge for us as a team of architects and designers to contribute in these trying times. So the question that came up was, ‘What can we do to help?’ One of our team members pitched an idea and that initiative was named ‘Gardens for Good,’” said Erick Yambao, founder and design director of Plontur.
“Basically, we banked on our strengths and decided to focus on residential gardens. Then we planned and executed a fundraiser, which we launched at the end of April.”
The mechanics of Gardens for Good is simple, yet has a “deeper” sense to it. On its surface, it is an online landscape design service where Plontur’s team will be doing sketches of your landscape area.
“It could be a sketch of your home garden, al fresco area, pool area, parking space, etc. We will also provide pegs and a plant palette to ‘walk’ you through the design,” said Yambao.
Customers choose between two packages. First is a basic package worth P1,500, while the second is an architect’s package at P3,000. The latter includes conceptual sketches, inspirational images, plant palette, outdoor lighting concept, among others. After choosing, customers coordinate with Plontur online and by emailing a high resolution photo of the landscape area or floor plan.
The entire fee from the Gardens for Good package will go to various organizations that Plontur has partnered with, such as Save San Roque Alliance (for a feeding program for the urban poor), the CHIT Foundation Inc. (for rice donation), and Project SMILE (for donation of meals and grocery items).
“We did not do this just so we can say we are helping. We wanted to do something good for our community, and designing for others is our way of expressing our values as individuals and as a collective. We want to reach as many people as we possibly can, do good work for them, and at the same time, help feed communities in need,” Yambao told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.
As of the moment, the team is getting positive feedback, both from clients and beneficiaries of the project.
“We got heartwarming feedback from the organizations we’ve partnered with and the people we’re designing for. They were cheering us on to do more of what we’re doing, which is very inspiring for the team. Internally, everyone who is working on this project feels fulfilled about designing something for a greater good,” said Yambao. “I’m proud of the team.”
With regard to the team, Plontur may be a young company but it is diverse in its composition, which includes landscape architects, interior designers, and horticulturists.
“Our approach to design is multifaceted. We draw from each of our individual strengths and work together as a team. Our mission is to create spaces where both people and nature grow. We believe that when you design with nature in mind, social and economic progress will follow,” he said.
This leaning toward nature was emphasized more during this pandemic, and Yambao said he is feeling “bittersweet” that a lot of people only realized just recently nature’s healing power, which has been with us for ages.
“At this time when people are confined to their homes, they have been longing for a connection with nature and the outdoors. After the quarantine, we must shift our focus on what is good for the long term—this is where designing with nature can come in. Green spaces are good for mental and physical health. Tending your own garden can be therapeutic and it is possible to grow your own food to achieve a sustainable lifestyle,” Yambao said. “I believe that humanity was created in a garden, thus, we must carry on creating, enhancing, and expanding these green spaces for the overall wellbeing of people.”
The Gardens for Good project is not about to stop (even after quarantine is lifted), as there are a lot of things needed to be done to encourage more Filipinos
to cultivate green spaces. On the other hand, it also highlights the importance of food security, which affects all, especially the less fortunate. And that is a worthy cause to design for.
‘I believe that humanity was created in a garden, thus, we must carry on creating, enhancing, and expanding these green spaces for the wellbeing of people.’