An outdoor vertical garden sign for a community center in Iztacalco, Mexico City.
Casa de
Cultura las Jarillas is a community center in Iztacalco, Mexico City that
promotes cultural proliferation through, workshops, theater, arts, and urban
farming. To create a more visible
presence within the neighborhood a sign was needed to help steer people towards
the community center. This signage had
to be easy to install, preferably integrated with local plants, and be seen
from across the street where a bus station is located. After some studies and research a material
was found that could be easily modified and required little maintenance. Coroplast is a white plastic material that is lightweight
and can be combined into large pieces to create a visual impact for those who
are walking by and driving in vehicles.
The largest
available coroplast sheets were purchased and then put together. Each combined sheet spelled out a letter that
was part of the community center’s name. Within each letter special slits were
made to allow for planter cups to be integrated with plants. The planter cups
had deep enough space for soil to hold medium sized plants. These plants are exposed to the morning sun
and rainfall, which allows them to be hydrated and healthy throughout the day.
Attached to the chain link fence the letters can be easily detached for
cleaning and repair if needed. By having a more visible presence in the
neighborhood the community center now attracts more people to the area and
inspires them to learn about urban agriculture in the city.
