Aaron Michael O'Neil Design

Aaron started nurturing plants from an early age, gently planting succulents between rocks in a wall he created with his grandmother. His indigenous family submerged him in nature. After he moved in to his first apartment, Aaron’s first goal was how to improve outside. His innate passion toward landscaping truly sparked at 14. Twenty years later, the places he lived evolved into laboratories where he took photos and learned about the weakness and strengths of each specimen. Aaron managed a greenhouse as a horticulturist, worked in flower shops, mentored students throughout his degree, took part in various horticultural societies, and once owned 495 varied species or cultivars at once. Many of the photos from Flora² came from his laboratory. 

Ecology is important to him. The application of plants through evidence-based design and living infrastructure inspire Aaron today as a designer of public space. Through his Thesis, Aaron discusses the various conflicts relating to the private and public applications of native flowers versus non-natives, while offering solutions to increase the usage of native flowers. 

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Thesis: