Dennis Pappas is a panorama architect with a mission. Primarily based in Brooklyn, New York, he’s spent over 20 years designing areas that make cities extra livable, extra sustainable, and extra related to nature.
He doesn’t simply design parks or gardens—he creates locations the place individuals can breathe simpler, really feel calmer, and join with their environment.
“Every green space is an opportunity to improve lives,” Dennis Pappas says. “It’s about more than plants. It’s about how people feel and live in these spaces.”
Dennis grew up in Brooklyn. As a child, he spent his time exploring the town’s parks. He liked the distinction between the hustle of the streets and the peace of these inexperienced pockets. That’s what impressed him to decide on a profession the place he might create extra of these areas for others.
The Street to Panorama Structure
Dennis studied Panorama Structure at Cornell College. He later earned a Grasp’s diploma in Environmental Design from Columbia College. His time at these colleges gave him the instruments to consider how cities can incorporate inexperienced areas, even when there’s restricted room.
“I was lucky to have great teachers and mentors,” Dennis says. “They taught me that good design isn’t just about what looks pretty—it’s about what works for people and the environment.”
He began his profession at a small design agency in Manhattan. Over time, he labored on residential courtyards, rooftop gardens, and even some massive public initiatives. Every new challenge was an opportunity to study and develop.
What Makes His Work Stand Out?
Dennis’s initiatives concentrate on sustainability and group. He doesn’t simply construct for at this time—he builds for the longer term. His designs incorporate native vegetation, handle stormwater, and cut back the warmth that builds up in city areas. These options make his areas not solely stunning but additionally resilient.
Certainly one of his most well-known initiatives is the Brooklyn Inexperienced Hall. This challenge reworked a number of metropolis blocks right into a pedestrian-friendly space full of bushes and vegetation. It additionally included rain gardens to scale back flooding.
“Rain gardens are incredible,” Dennis explains. “They’re simple, but they do so much. They filter water, prevent flooding, and support local wildlife. And they look amazing, too.”
One other standout challenge is New York Metropolis’s first carbon-neutral rooftop backyard. This backyard wasn’t nearly making a inexperienced roof—it was about proving that cities could be greener with out sacrificing performance or aesthetics.
Why Inexperienced Areas Matter
City inexperienced areas are extra than simply good locations to go to. They’re important for the well being of individuals and the planet. Research present that inexperienced areas can cut back city temperatures by as much as 9 levels Fahrenheit. In addition they filter air, eradicating pollution that hurt human well being.
“There’s so much data to back this up,” Dennis says. “Green spaces improve air quality, reduce stress, and even boost property values. We’re talking about benefits that touch every part of life.”
Parks and inexperienced areas additionally deliver communities collectively. Folks use them to train, chill out, and join with one another. In neighborhoods with inexperienced areas, crime charges usually go down, and group engagement goes up.
The Challenges of City Design
Designing inexperienced areas in cities isn’t at all times simple. There’s restricted land, excessive prices, and sometimes, strict rules to navigate. Dennis has confronted these challenges head-on.
“The biggest hurdle is often space,” he says. “In a place like New York, every square foot counts. That’s why we have to be creative. Rooftops, alleyways, even underused parking lots can be turned into green spaces.”
He additionally emphasizes the significance of working with communities. “You can’t just show up with a plan,” he says. “You need to listen. People who live there know what they need better than anyone.”
The Rewards of the Job
For Dennis, one of the best a part of his job is seeing individuals benefit from the areas he’s helped create. Whether or not it’s youngsters enjoying in a park or households gathering for picnics, these moments make all of the arduous work worthwhile.
“I love seeing how people use these spaces,” Dennis says. “They’re not just places—they’re part of people’s lives. That’s what makes it all worth it.”
A Imaginative and prescient for the Future
Dennis believes the way forward for cities is determined by inexperienced areas. With local weather change and urbanization, cities should adapt. Inexperienced infrastructure will probably be a key a part of that transformation.
“I’m optimistic,” he says. “Cities are starting to realize how important this is. Green spaces aren’t just extra—they’re essential.”
Research assist his view. Analysis reveals that cities with extra inexperienced areas are more healthy, happier, and extra resilient to local weather challenges. For instance, neighborhoods with parks expertise decrease charges of despair and weight problems.
Dennis is enthusiastic about inspiring younger individuals to enter the sector of panorama structure. He believes the following technology has the creativity and drive to resolve the challenges cities face.
“If you care about the environment and want to make a difference, this is an amazing career,” he says. “The world needs people who can think about sustainability and community.”
He additionally encourages college students to get hands-on expertise. “Volunteer, intern, whatever you can do,” he advises. “The more you’re exposed to real projects, the more you’ll learn.”
When he’s not designing areas, Dennis spends his time kayaking, mountain climbing, and chicken watching. These hobbies preserve him related to nature and sometimes encourage his work.
He lives in Brooklyn together with his accomplice, Alex, an city planner, and their two rescue cats, Ash and Willow. Collectively, they get pleasure from exploring native parks and discovering new methods to remain concerned of their group.
Dennis Pappas isn’t simply constructing parks and gardens—he’s constructing a greater future. Via his designs, he’s proving that cities could be greener, more healthy, and extra related.
“Every project is a chance to make a difference,” Dennis says. “It’s not just about what the space looks like—it’s about how it makes people feel. That’s what matters most.”
