Patterns in Nature

A visual exploration of the relationships of patterns in flowers with other forms and structures seen in the physical and natural world.

Oehme van Sweden Garden: Federal Reserve Board Building, Washington, DC

In the midst of Washington DC, the gardens of the Federal Reserve Board Martin Building offer a tranquil oasis from the busy streets of the city. In 1977 Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden renovated George Patton’s earlier design of this space. Oehme and van Sweden captured the feeling of America’s Great Plains as they melded Patton’s classical and their contemporary styles in the garden’s landscape. Sun-loving wild flowers, alive with pollinators, complement the peaceful, shaded vistas where visitors enjoy a quiet stroll.