Three living columns grace the exterior of the David Brower Center, celebrating the legacy of environmentalist David Brower and reflecting the center’s mission of ecological stewardship. Designed to evoke forms found in nature, the columns provide a vertical expression of the local landscape while reinforcing the building’s commitment to sustainability.

The planting palette includes a variety of ferns—such as native Dryopteris and Adiantum species—carefully chosen for their low-light tolerance, as the columns occupy shaded areas and rely on a recirculating irrigation system that channels water efficiently to the basement.

Together, the columns transform the entryway into a living tribute, connecting visitors with the beauty of natural ecosystems while honoring Brower’s vision of environmental consciousness and education.