Berkeley & San Francisco
Habitat Horticulture
Habitat Horticulture creates and sustains distinctive living walls and botanic installations that transform the spaces they inhabit. Founded in 2010 by horticultural pioneer and artist David Brenner, our mission is to produce awe-inspiring plant-centric spaces that cultivate and deepen our connection with nature and enliven the built environment.
The name Habitat Horticulture comes from our commitment to habitat creation, not just for humans, but for the flora and fauna of our overarching ecosystems. We are driven by the belief that plant life is integral to our own well-being. Urban spaces are often teeming with untapped potential as much as they are lacking in natural life. We strive for a world where the lines of architecture and nature come together and exist as one living, thriving, sustainable system.
Our specialty is the vertical plane. From high-rise exteriors to expansive lobby spaces, we have experience integrating greenery into some of the largest and most complex projects across North America. We employ a diverse team that includes industry experts in architecture, design, construction, fabrication, and horticulture. We provide turnkey living walls from initial concept development to construction and maintenance, and à la carte services such as design consultation or construction documentation. Our extended portfolio includes interior/exterior landscape design, green roofs, moss walls, vine trellis systems, and biophilic design.
At our roots, we are horticulturists, and we begin each project from a plant perspective. By considering their complex biological processes first, we create environments where plants thrive. Seasoned through our years of project experience, we work fluidly with architects, engineers, and construction teams to find the best solutions for each project. Our ability to think “outside the planter” makes us primed to cater to unique architectural requests.
We create more than just green walls. Our commissions produce and nurture living, breathing, vertical gardens – vibrant tapestries that highlight the unique qualities of each species while complementing and echoing their natural and architectural surroundings.
Workspace
We have two workspaces, a headquarters in a large warehouse in Berkeley, and a greenhouse in San Francisco. Our headquarters in Berkeley is where we design and pre-assemble custom living wall installations, and build Gromeo, a mini, self-watering, living wall system for homes and personal spaces. Our greenhouse in San Francisco is where we grow the plants for custom living wall installations and Gromeo.
Production Model
Site-specific living walls are custom made to order. Gromeo frames are made in small batches and can be customized in a choice of plantings.
Tools
We use CAD software for our design process. CNC machinery, woodworking, and assembly tools for Gromeo frames. Assembly tools and lifts for living wall installations. Gardening and pest control tools in the greenhouse and for plantings.
Materials
At the root of our systems is our proprietary growing medium called Growtex®. Made from post-consumer recycled water bottles, Growtex® provides the ideal conditions for plant growth and allows for the most versatile and resilient plant compositions. Growtex® has been put to the test in some of the most extreme high-rise applications and acts as a fully compliant cladding system.