Biophilic Breakthrough: Gravity 2 Mural
"Bloom Where You Are Planted"
Gravity 2 Exterior Mural at a glance
- Industry: Residential Community
- Location: Franklinton, Columbus, Ohio.
- About: Includes multi-story office buildings, apartments and townhomes showcasing flexible community gathering spaces and artistic outside displays.
- Challenge: Creating dynamic, mixed media floral pieces to incorporate into a large exterior wall mural.
Results:
The success of our work at Gravity 2 was recognized at the 2024 International Plantscape Awards, where Oakland Green Interiors took home a Platinum award for the Gravity 2 Mural Display, “Bloom Where You Are Planted.” Additionally, we earned Gold and Silver awards across seven other categories.
Genevieve Mills, Director of Oakland Green Interiors, remarked, “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and talent of our team at Oakland Green Interiors. We take pride in our ability to create unique and impactful interior plant displays and exterior urban plantings that enhance and improve the experience and aesthetics of our client’s properties.
Initial Challenges
Gravity 2 is a groundbreaking development recognized as “the world’s largest conscious community.” The project spans four mixed-use buildings and surrounding courtyards, incorporating residential, retail, office, and entertainment spaces. The unique challenge: to create a three-dimensional “hairpiece” from faux florals and install it on a 30-foot-tall exterior concrete wall.
Partnering with New York City muralist OG Millie, Oakland Green Interiors was commissioned to bring new life to a graffiti-covered exterior wall of a two-story building in Franklinton, Columbus. Known for their vibrant, expressive style, OG Millie’s work features bold colors, dynamic compositions, and visual influences from their New York roots. For this project, the artist drew from personal experience to create an image that resonates with both Columbus residents and visitors.
Oakland Green Interiors was tasked with designing and fabricating the three-dimensional floral element that forms the portrait’s hair. Our team engineered a series of shaped, layered wire grids to support more than 5,000 individual floral components. Each element was carefully secured to the wall, with materials selected to withstand Columbus’s changing weather conditions.
The result is a dynamic, three-dimensional feature that brings depth, movement, and texture to the mural, transforming it into an immersive installation.
The Solution: Oakland Green Interiors Brings Design & Engineering Together
Oakland Green Interiors approached the challenge with a design engineered to withstand weather (sun exposure, rain, snow, etc.) and temperature fluctuations while maintaining a sense of softness and fluidity.
Multiple layers of varying gauges of wire grid were bent, shaped, and secured to wood framing that was bolted directly to the building. This armature established the form and depth of the hairpiece, with additional floral-covered grids layered on top. Sections were pre-labeled for efficient on-site assembly, and each component was carefully fastened to ensure long-term stability and safety.
The success of the project relied on close collaboration between OG Millie and Oakland Green Interiors. Working together, the teams aligned the mural and floral elements in color, scale, and overall composition—demonstrating the impact of an interdisciplinary approach to public art.
The Outcome: Award-Winning Success
“Bloom Where You Are Planted” at Gravity 2 has become a notable local landmark, capturing the attention of passersby and transforming an otherwise unassuming wall into a striking visual feature. In 2024, Oakland Green Interiors received a Platinum award at the International Plantscape Awards for the design and installation of this project.
This one-of-a-kind installation serves as a point of pride for the community and contributes to the cultural vibrancy of the Franklinton neighborhood.
Elevate Your Space with Oakland Green Interiors
Oakland Green Interiors’ expertise in plant wall installations and innovative plant staging solutions makes us a trusted partner for transforming any space. Whether it’s a commercial development like Gravity 2 or a smaller project, our team is dedicated to bringing the beauty and benefits of plants to your surroundings.
If you are looking to enhance your space with natural and unique plant designs, contact us today to request a proposal and see how we can bring your vision to life!