radar.

vertical thinking
Debbie Kotalic visits Worth Avenue often. But, shes not in Palm Beach to admire the fashion-centric vitrines. Theres a much more visually stimulating display that inspires passersby to stop, shoot a pic on their iPhone, and ponder the site of an 840-square-foot vertical garden. Its a very tight abstract that both counters and complements the avenues sprawling bougainvillea and breezy palm trees, Kotalic says. Everyone sees something different. Its similar to when people look at the same cloud. What they envision isnt necessarily the same. A landscape designer for green wall specialists GSky Plant Systems, Kotalic is intimately
photo: michael schalk.

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familiar with every aspect of this wall. After all, she devised it, and even included a hidden optical illusion within its leafy faade. Ill give you a hint...its very Palm Beach, teases Kotalic, who collaborated with the Garden Club of Palm Beach and landscape architecture firm Sanchez & Maddux. Behind its allure lies an intricate network of irrigation and maintenance systems that ensures the installation retains its wonder. As for the Rorschach-inspired camouflage, further gaze reveals (at least to us) a wind-bent palm tree, swaying fronds and all.

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