OOLITE PLINTHS AT JUNGLE PLAZA
In our designs for some of the world’s leading luxury clients, we often wall in mature trees and plants in a five-feet thick layer of oolite stone, the naturally occurring foundation rock under South Florida. Being incredibly porous, these plinths can hold enough water for plants to survive and not lose their shape, making them easier to transport.
So when IPC was approached to create a dialogue between nature and art for Jungle Plaza—a 35,400 square-foot, mixed-used space atop a parking garage in Miami’s Design District, with art works by Sol LeWitt and 2×4—we knew exactly what to do. Our immediate instinct was to curate a show of rare Caribbean palms and native trees presented in oolite plinths, each weighing between 4-10 tons and ranging in height from 12-30 feet.
In addition to being highly absorbent and protecting the root system, they are also enormously heavy and won’t fall over if shown above ground (instead of being planted) as they are at Jungle Plaza.
As a bridge between nature and art, these plinths create beautiful sculptural forms and are perfect for the Design District, which at its core is a celebration of urban planning, art, design and luxury.
The entrance to the Oolite Plinths at Jungle Plaza is on 38th Street and NE 1st Avenue, Miami.