Thomas Balsley Associates

Perched on the roof of the two-story base building and surrounded by residential studios, a unique urban pine forest rises from a fog bed to the sky above. Austrian pines are set in a formation of mounded ellipse-shaped forms that appear to be swimming in a washed riverstone floor. This minimalist mono-culture landscape serves as a metaphor for the sanctuary and repose found in the pine forest. Whether accessed directly or simply viewed from afar, residents will enjoy the year-round display. Lounge desks outside the residents’ lounge at the forest-floor level will offer a closer view and scents of the topography and mugo pine understory landscape.