Botanical Architecture
Inspiring audiences of all ages through our inventive use of botanical materials to create iconic architectural models. A new way to appreciate the natural world.
The Seed of An Idea
The concept of botanical architecture was originally developed by Applied Imagination’s founding visionary, Paul G. Busse. Founded in 1991, Applied Imagination was the convergence of Paul’s work with landscaping, garden railroads, and his unique use of plant material.
Elevating The Ordinary
When asked to do his first Garden Railway in a conservatory setting, Paul looked to elevate the plastic train models, and developed the idea to decorate them entirely out of dried botanicals mimicking architectural details though nature.
Celebrating The Natural World
Educating visitors through our inventive use of plants, artists select materials to hand-sculpt each unique architectural element. Our workshop is filled with hundreds of varieties of pods, barks, pine cones, branches, leaves, and fungus.
From The Forest Floor
Surrounded by several acres of land, we harvest many of our materials right on our grounds. We also collect from the gardens where we work, purchase from various suppliers around the world, and even receive generous donations from admirers near and far.
Exceptional Artisanship
Over the course of 30 years the concept of Botanical Architecture has evolved through the hands of our artisans, each building taking 100-1000 hours to complete, and sometimes much more!
Lasting Treasures
With proper handling, and much thanks to our finishing coatings, these models can live on for decades. Many in our collections are 25-30 years old and still shining.