I created designs for Mothfire Brewing Company to add greenery to their patio while providing environmental benefits to the space.
My experience in ecosystem services and the quantification of environmental benefits proved valuable in my first independently contracted project.
Mothfire Brewing Company is one of the hottest new brewing companies in southeast Michigan. Having opened its new brewery and taproom in July 2023, the owners quickly realized that their seating wouldn't provide sufficient seating. They decided to build a four-season patio, increasing the capacity by about 100 seats.
The General Manager, Monica Manning, approached me to help solve two big problems she saw on the patio. First, the concrete and steel structure made the patio feel like a much different space than the vibrant and inviting taproom. Second, the patio's materials and design made it extremely loud at full capacity.
I felt that the most cost effective and aesthetically fitting option to solve both problems was to incorporate high functioning plants in the space.
The Mothfire Brewing Company patio extension in early autumn.
Design Goals and Site Analysis
Given the goals of the project, I felt a section outlining design goals and justifications in my deliverable was needed. I wanted to express the scientifically proven benefits of choosing the right plantings to the client. I added a site analysis to further justify my methods in plant selection to the customer.
I always strive to create a scientifically and mathematically defensible proposal, as it reinforces my credibility in the eyes of the client and leads to the best product.
Plant Suitability Analysis
When it came to specific plants, I created as consistent of a comparative framework as possible. I chose four core attributes that were expressed to me in the first meeting with the client as those to consider. I then created a comparative index for each category. This created a consistent metric, making it easy to analyze for me and the client. I then rendered these data into circular bar plots, providing further legibility to the data and aesthetic value. I added the notes section to contextualize the data to the patio.
A typical plant evaluation page from my first submittal to the client.
This analysis of reindeer moss was the client's favorite concept of the package. I am currently working on a cost estimate and site-specific design plan as a follow up service.