Client Overview
Star Metals is a high-profile mixed-use development in Atlanta, GA, recognized for its modern architecture, extensive greenery, and commitment to sustainable design. Their rooftop gardens and interior plants are showstoppers—and they needed their exterior planters to reflect the same level of care and detail.
The Challenge
When we took over the property, the existing exterior containers were poorly staged, resulting in visible water runoff, overcrowded root systems, and deteriorating aesthetics.
But the biggest hurdle?
The building management wanted zero water runoff. That meant we couldn’t rely on traditional planter drainage systems.
Our Solution
To align with the property’s sustainability standards and the client’s strict expectations, we:
- Excavated all planters and removed old, failing soil and plant material
- Cleaned and waterproofed each container to prevent seepage into the hardscaping
- Installed drainage staging with gravel, mesh, and lightweight substrate
- Sealed every container and added a custom siphon tubing system to allow crews to manually remove excess rainwater without overflow
- Restaged with durable, low-maintenance plant varieties suited for the urban rooftop environment
This approach allowed us to preserve the plants’ health without compromising the infrastructure or causing runoff onto walkways.
Result
• Fully revitalized and healthy planters across the property
• Zero water runoff—meeting the building’s management requirements
• Enhanced visual continuity with Star Metals’ biophilic architecture
• Ongoing maintenance and water management by our team
