The North Carolina Botanical Garden plant sale site, adjacent to the gift shop, is currently scorched by full southern and western sun exposures, which would harm plants. To alleviate this condition, the shade structure’s lath system varies in density to mimic the range of shade of a natural forest under-story. The lath surface folds down the west side of the structure to mitigate the harshest afternoon sun. Several site parameters informed the design: providing a space to sell plants, mitigating direct light while maximizing photosynthesis, allowing for the flow of major existing circulation paths, reusing rainwater and draining it properly, screening the view of the plant sale from an adjacent conference room, and accommodating existing plant display tables. We have collaborated directly with the NCBG staff to design this structure.

To learn more about designing in response to the sun, contact us here.