SOFT STUDIO
SOFT STUDIO

APEC 2023

SOFT STUDIO

We created a planting installation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in San Francisco in November 2023. We composed planters for the Leader's Lounge with entirely native California plants, reflecting two distinctly Californian habitat types: Woodland & Chaparral. 

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SOFT STUDIO
SOFT STUDIO

The temporary installation process was quite different than creating an outdoor landscape. First, since we had no idea how native plants would react to prolonged indoor conditions, we tested them inside for a week. They did surprisingly well!

SOFT STUDIO
SOFT STUDIO

We brought grow lights to give them some semblance of life outdoors. And we went back everyday to water them after hours. And BAM!  It was over! Thankfully nothing died. Some overachieving plants even started blooming inside?!? All went great except the security dogs taking the planters apart during their sweep, and we had to fix them. 

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SOFT STUDIO
SOFT STUDIO

The planters were where presidents and other important officials hung out and hopefully made some progressive and sustainable decisions for our future. Then, the plants were gifted to local staff at the Moscone Center at the end of the conference. Hope they are planted and growing happily outdoors now.

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Turns out conference don't always need to use the typical tropical rental plants that look sad and boring! We loved riffing on the idea of indoor installations and creating planting areas representing California's endemic landscapes.