Tag Archives: arbors

Landscape Architects Predict Outdoor Living Trends

This is the time of year when outdoor living trends will be all over the blogosphere. We know, because just last week we told you all about how outdoor kitchens are coming on strong in 2011.

Now the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has released their Residential Trends Survey. Included are some very promising finds. ASLA asked a group of professional landscape architects what trends and features they expect to see grow this year. Check out these highlights:

Most popular outdoor living features:

Exterior Lighting – 96.2%

Fire pits/fireplaces – 94.2%

Seating/dining areas – 94.1%

Grills – 93.8%

Installed seating like benches – 89.5

Most popular structures:

Fencing (includes gates) – 85.1%
Arbors – 83.8%
Pergolas – 82.6%
Steps – 79.3%
Ornamental water features such as fountains or splash pools – 77.5%
Decks – 74.4%
Porches – 72.3%

Outdoor Environments specializes in many of these popular outdoor living features including patios, decks, porches, fire pits and fireplaces, grill enclosures, pergolas and arbors. Call us at 913-897-2706 to find out more about how Outdoor Environments can bring life to your outdoor living space! You can also visit our Facebook fan page to see our impressive portfolio!

Outdoor living area shown is by Outdoor Environments

The Ec-O Bench

So last night was the series finale of LOST and I have found a perfect use for those Oceanic airplanes.  Inhabitat.com recently posted about the ec-O benches, made from retired airplanes.   These benches would give any outdoor living space an urban feel.

Inhabitat writes, “Architecture instructor Steven Ma developed an amazing concept bench that infuses nature into pedestrian traffic zones by creating a self-sustaining eco-system that envelops sitters in living and growing plant-life.

The ec-O bench generates electricity through solar panels that are embedded into the top of the extended structure which hovers above the suggested seating area. These panels harness electricity during the day to illuminate the seating area at night. A built-in system collects and filters water that is used for healthy plant growth. As they grow the plants wind around the bench’s circular structure, creating a jungle-like canopy dangling above the user.”

Can’t you see Jack, Kate, Sawyer and Hurley coming across this bench while walking through the jungle!

The Perfect Place for a Summer Day

How would you like to sit outdoors in your custom made arbor or pergola this summer?  Outdoor living structures are the perfect place to relax either by the pool or dining al fresco.   We love creating an outdoor living space that suits your everyday life.

Click here to visit our website to see more of our work.

Your iPhone might one day save your life

Technology is constantly changing and the researchers at the University of California, San Diego are trying to come up with a way to embed tiny sensors in your cell phone that can detect toxic chemicals in the air.  These silicon chips will be able to map the locations of these chemicals and alert emergency responders as well as you.   How’s that for an iPhone app?

According to Inhabitat.com, “Michael Sailor and his team at UC San Diego along with startup company Rhevision Technology, Inc. recently completed the tech’s first phase of development. Now, they’re working on a prototype that can work with a cell phone.”

How it works: A tiny, silicon chip is embedded into your cell phone.  The device will change color when it detects harmful chemicals, alerting you and emergency responders.

Currently the chip can only identify a handful of chemicals, but researchers are optimistic about its future.

Outdoor Design Statements: Pergolas & Arbors

Outdoor Environments loves bringing the outdoors to life for our clients. For many of our customers, that involves providing them with just the right balance of style, ambiance, and comfort–each of which is created with precision thanks to our quality, durable materials.

One of our most powerful outdoor design statements we are asked to create for clients involves incorporating pergolas and arbors into outdoor landscapes. Check out some of our most shining examples below.

OEPERGOOO

OEPERG1

OEPERGOOOO1

OEPERG3