Jungles in the City: Raymond Jungles’ Modern Tropical Paradises

Will Hunter felt the weight of the tropical humidity pressing down on him as he walked through the gates of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. A storm loomed in the distance, its thunder rumbling like a warning. The garden’s lush greenery seemed alive, shifting subtly in the warm breeze. This wasn’t just a garden; it was a world of its own, carefully designed by a man whose name was whispered among the elite of landscape architecture—Raymond Jungles.

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Will was a skeptical architecture student from Iowa State University. He’d studied buildings, not gardens, and had never fully understood the artistry of landscape design. But the opportunity to meet Jungles was too intriguing to pass up. As the clouds darkened overhead, he wondered what secrets this enigmatic architect might reveal.

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“Will Hunter?” a voice called out.

Will turned to see a tall man with silver-streaked hair and an intense gaze. “Welcome to the jungles,” the man said with a half-smile, his name lending itself to an irony that wasn’t lost on Will.

Jungles’ Philosophy of Design

“Miami is a city of contradictions,” Jungles began as they strolled along a winding path shaded by towering palms. “Its beauty is matched only by its fragility.” He gestured to a cluster of bromeliads and orchids arranged in a seemingly random yet harmonious pattern. “Everything here has a purpose.”

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Will marveled at the precision of the design. Each plant served a dual role: beauty and resilience. “Take these native grasses,” Jungles said, crouching near a koi pond. “They filter stormwater, prevent erosion, and support local wildlife. Design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about solving problems.”

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Will thought back to a book he’d recently read, Design with Nature by Ian McHarg. McHarg’s teachings on ecological design resonated deeply with Jungles’ approach. “Do you always work so closely with the environment?” Will asked.

“It’s not a choice,” Jungles replied. “It’s a responsibility.”

A Suspenseful Revelation

As they walked deeper into the garden, the atmosphere shifted. The once-inviting paths now seemed to lead into the unknown. A faint metallic scent hung in the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of blooming flowers.

“Nature hides its lessons,” Jungles said cryptically. “You just have to know where to look.”

They arrived at a secluded grove, where a solitary bench overlooked a pond framed by mangroves. Jungles pointed to the water’s edge. “Do you see it?”

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Will squinted, his heart racing. At first, it looked like a shadow, but then it moved—something slithering beneath the surface. “What is that?” he asked, stepping back.

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“An alligator,” Jungles said calmly. “Nature isn’t just beautiful; it’s unpredictable. Design must account for that, too.”

Will felt a chill despite the humid air. The interplay of beauty and danger mirrored the tension in Jungles’ work—gardens that invited exploration but demanded respect.

Lessons in Resilience

As they returned to the main path, Jungles shared insights from another influential book, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. “Wohlleben writes about how trees communicate and support each other. Gardens, like communities, thrive when every element works together.”

Will began to see the garden as more than a collection of plants. It was a living system, where every element—from the towering palms to the smallest insect—played a role.

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At Grove at Grand Bay, a project Jungles designed, this philosophy was evident in the vertical gardens that cooled the building and captured stormwater. “Nature isn’t just a backdrop,” Jungles explained. “It’s the foundation. Our job is to amplify it.”

The Dream’s End

As the storm clouds finally broke, rain cascaded over the garden, transforming it into a shimmering, vibrant oasis. Will stood in awe, his skepticism replaced by a profound appreciation for Jungles’ work.

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When he woke up, back in his dorm room, the dream lingered. His sketchbook lay open to a rough drawing of a garden inspired by the day’s experience—a place where design and nature coexisted in perfect harmony.

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Will reached for his copy of Design with Nature. Jungles’ words echoed in his mind: “It’s not about working against the environment; it’s about working with it.”

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He smiled, realizing that the dream had taught him more than any lecture ever could.