Stupid Things in Design

The California landscape changes very little through the “seasons” as it is, but as Landscape Architects we are often always seeking that plant “gem” that is ever blooming, ever green, drought tolerant, and requires absolutely no maintenance what so ever. It seems to me that the very thing that makes the landscape so special and unique are the inherent qualities that it possesses over its rival architecture; its ability to change, evolve, and recreate itself season by season among the often (if not always) static architecture. The landscape is the one thing that has the ability to bridge the gap between humanity and the living planet. One of the stupid things that we do as Landscape Architects in the name of design; is try to place the landscape in the same box as Architecture. As if the landscape was some kind of tribute to the same false immortality that exists among the static tall buildings. Instead we should be looking for that plant that is ever changing, evolving, and recreating itself like life really does. Give the spaces that we create a chance to change.

Thoughts from Dana and Jeff Thomas