Underpass Native Garden
Underpass Native Garden, 2016. Drawings, plans, models, photomontages, dimensions variable.
The Bay Bridge Trail takes place at a major transition point, not only between highways, but also between land and water, as well as yesterday and tomorrow, both culturally and historically. The site, previously home of indigenous tribes, is now populated with invasive, non-native plant species.
Originally designed as a satirical response, the Underpass Native Garden is a botanical garden that is exclusively composed of plant species native to the San Francisco Bay.
A series of oversized diamond-shaped planters, whose aggressive form may be perceived as an allusion to Native American arrowheads, creates an intriguing pattern which can be visited at two scales and speeds, by both pedestrians (on the ground) and drivers (on the highway overpass). The Underpass Native Garden constitutes the reverse invasion of native species.
The south-east facing planters, held by concrete walls of varying heights, protect the plants from strong winds while producing an interesting interaction between the visitors and the gigantic Star-Wars-like elements. The Underpass Native Garden, whose pattern could be used as a template for further development along the trail or for other LAEP projects, is part of a new generation of botanical gardens, which stand for ecological sustainability.
Heartily engaged in community centered projects, Aurore is an activist and profoundly wishes to use her creativity and environmental consciousness in order to help municipalities develop a new relationship between people and nature, and create more endurable cities.