Lauren Stimson: On Wildness, Lost Landscapes, and Belonging

Introduction to the Event

Overview of the Lecture Series

• Jamie Boyer introduces the event on wildness, lost landscapes, and belonging featuring landscape architect Laura Stimson.

• Acknowledgment of the New York Botanical Garden's location on Lenape Delaware ancestral land, honoring their history and presence.

• Announcement of upcoming classes and workshops at the garden, including winter photography and craft workshops.

Introduction of Speaker

• Susan Cohen introduces Lauren Stimson as the final speaker in this year's portfolio series.

• Background information on Lauren’s education and her firm STIMSON, highlighting its connection to family heritage.

Lauren Stimson's Design Philosophy

Personal Influences

• Discussion of how Lauren's design ideas are shaped by rural life, agrarian landscapes, art, craft, foraging, and gardening.

• Emphasis on community values within her firm alongside sustainability and a slow approach to design.

Firm Achievements

• Recognition of STIMSON with an American Society of Landscape Architects Firm Award in 2021.

• Mention of Lauren receiving a Rome Prize fellowship from the American Academy in Rome.

Firm Structure and Evolution

Team Dynamics

• Description of STIMSON’s evolution over time; work has become varied and less recognizable as a single style due to diverse team backgrounds.

Leadership Approach

• Importance placed on individual thinking within the firm; leadership encourages innovation across all levels.

Personal Background Impacting Design

Family Heritage

• Lauren shares personal background: her mother is an immigrant from the Philippines; father served in Peace Corps during the 1960s.

This structured markdown file captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference. Each section is organized logically to facilitate understanding.

Exploring Identity and Landscape Architecture

Early Life Influences

• The speaker reflects on growing up in rural Massachusetts, two years after the Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage, highlighting the unique climate for a biracial family.

• Engaged in outdoor activities like playing in pastures and woods, which fostered a sense of safety and comfort in nature.

• Emphasizes the importance of embracing multiple ethnic identities through experiences at Filipino school and predominantly White rural schools.

Educational Journey

• Discusses diverse interests during college, including theater and geology, leading to a career path that merges art with science.

• Shares positive experiences at UMass Amherst during graduate studies, influenced by both ecologists and modernist perspectives on landscape architecture.

Philosophical Shifts in Landscape Architecture

• Highlights the hybrid perspective gained from studying various design theories, including modernism and postmodernism.

• Contrasts differing views among professors regarding the role of ecology versus physical aspects in landscape architecture.

Project Experience: Northeast Harbor

• Describes excitement about working on a project in Maine related to cultural landscapes studied during graduate school.

• Mentions historical significance tied to Charles Elliot's homestead and its connection to Acadia National Park.

Challenges Faced

• Expresses concern over construction impacts on fragile ecosystems at the project site, emphasizing environmental sensitivity.

• Details client concerns about development scale affecting natural landscapes, prompting an intensive design approach to mitigate damage.

Ecological Restoration and Landscape Architecture

The Importance of Historical Context in Ecological Restoration

• The speaker reflects on an ecological restoration project, emphasizing the historical significance of Elliot's homestead and landscapes that no longer exist on site, which was predominantly climax forest.

• A fascination with remnant landscapes such as high meadows and birch groves led to a restoration strategy aimed at reintroducing these lost ecosystems for biodiversity and soil suitability.

Collaboration and Hands-On Approach in Project Development

• The project involved various structures across a site with significant elevation changes, highlighting the importance of collaboration with contractors during development.

• Close involvement with contractor John Swallow facilitated the creation of custom soil blends using locally sourced materials like granitic sand and crab shells.

Ambitious Restoration Efforts

• Trees sourced from demolition sites were integrated into the project, showcasing an ambitious scale that transitioned from large-scale planning to detailed attention on future generations of spruce.

• The speaker emphasizes their hands-on approach during construction, actively participating rather than merely overseeing the process.

Transformation of Landscapes Post-Restoration

• Images depict the transformation within two to five years post-restoration, including a previously culverted stream now thriving with mosses and new ecologies like stormwater gardens.

Expanding Horizons: New Projects in Urban Settings

San Antonio Park Project Overview

• Transitioning to another project in San Antonio, Texas—an urban park initiative started in 2007 after winning a design competition involving D.I.R.T. Studio.

• The park spans 311 acres north of downtown San Antonio, aiming to serve as a citywide recreational area supported by public funding through city bonds.

Historical Significance and Design Philosophy

• Mayor Phil Hardberger played a crucial role in acquiring land parcels for the park; one parcel cost $16 million while another was $31 million due to its strategic importance for community recreation.

• The landscape's history included ancient live oaks overshadowed by overgrowth; this context informed design decisions focused on preserving natural features.

Balancing Nature and Human Activity

• Emphasizing minimal programming, 75% of the park is dedicated to enhancing natural landscapes while carefully integrating human activities into the remaining 25%.

Innovative Structures Within the Park

• An urban ecology center designed alongside Lake Flato serves as a hub for public outreach and events, embodying sustainable architecture principles.

Integration of Landscape and Architecture

Conceptualizing the Space

• The landscape is intricately woven into the architectural experience, emphasizing a harmonious relationship between nature and design.

• Local materials, such as ash juniper from cleared areas, are repurposed for functional structures like pavilions and playground enclosures.

Environmental Considerations

• Innovative stormwater management techniques include flow-through curbs and rain gardens utilizing local limestone to enhance ecological sustainability.

• A focus on minimal intervention aims to preserve the natural beauty while enhancing user enjoyment through thoughtful design.

Restoration Efforts

• Less than 1% of native Texas prairie remains; the project serves as a model for restoration in managed landscapes.

• The design process prioritizes significant existing features, such as live oak trees, ensuring they remain integral to the landscape.

The Land Bridge Project

Vision and Design Process

• The land bridge concept was initiated in 2008, aiming to connect wildlife and people across a busy highway.

• Unique in its dual purpose for both humans and animals, it draws inspiration from European ecoduck models but adapts them for local needs.

Engineering Challenges

• The structure spans 150 feet wide by 200 feet long, incorporating zones specifically designed for pedestrians and wildlife interaction.

• Significant earth movement was required to create accessible pathways with less than a 5% incline, showcasing advanced engineering solutions.

Ecological Impact

• Wildlife blinds were integrated into the design with contributions from local artists, promoting biodiversity within urban settings.

• The project has successfully attracted wildlife previously unseen due to road hazards, demonstrating effective habitat restoration efforts.

Community Support and Funding

Financial Backing

• Funded by city bonds supported by taxpayer dollars, this $23 million initiative reflects community investment in sustainable urban development.

Florence Griswold Museum: A Journey Through American Impressionism

Overview of the Florence Griswold Museum

• The Florence Griswold Museum is a small yet significant museum recognized as the home of American Impressionism, located on the edge of the Lieutenant River.

• Established in a former boarding house owned by Florence Griswold, it became a haven for artists during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1900s and 1910s.

Historical Significance and Artist Community

• Notable impressionist painters like Henry Ward Ranger and Childe Hassam frequented the boarding house, capturing scenes from Old Lyme and its surrounding landscapes.

• Over time, land parcels were sold off until efforts began in the late 1930s to consolidate them into a museum space.

Restoration Efforts and Landscape Architecture

• The former director aimed to restore the landscape through creative real estate purchases, prompting discussions about how to utilize this land effectively.

• Research into artist archives revealed that many original landscape features had been lost due to invasive species dominating the area.

Ecological Considerations in Design

• The project focused on restoring native plants and creating an environment reflective of historical paintings while addressing ecological concerns.

• Initial sketches proposed revitalizing edges of property with features like hedgerows and wetlands to enhance biodiversity.

Comprehensive Plan Development

• The plan included creating an "artist trail" that would connect various restored landscapes such as orchards, wetlands, and meadows.

• Emphasis was placed on moving away from traditional lawn areas towards more ecologically diverse environments.

Funding and Implementation Strategies

• Recognizing its location along an important migratory route for birds led to securing a $1 million grant focused on ornithology and habitat restoration.

• This funding significantly influenced construction documents and planting plans aimed at rewilding efforts within the museum grounds.

Visual Storytelling Through Design

• Construction documents were designed not just for functionality but also to narrate stories about habitat restoration through compelling graphics.

• New spaces like event areas were created from previously maintained lawns, enhancing usability while promoting ecological awareness.

This structured overview captures key insights from discussions regarding the Florence Griswold Museum's history, restoration efforts, ecological considerations in design planning, funding strategies for implementation, and visual storytelling through design.

Designing with Nature: A Landscape Architect's Journey

The Importance of Sensitive Design

• The speaker discusses the challenge of Japanese knotweed and emphasizes the importance of sensitive design in creating a small overlook using materials like white oak, granite, and black locust.

• There is a strong enthusiasm for innovative use of materials typically found in farming, showcasing a blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern creativity.

Personal Connection to Land

• The speaker describes their home environment, highlighting the diverse New England landscape that includes forests, wetlands, and remnants of agriculture.

• Reflecting on their relationship with Steve, they express a desire to homestead together and build a life rooted in nature.

Early Development and Experimentation

• Initial efforts involved building landscape elements before constructing the house itself, focusing on stone walls and restoring pastures while preserving existing trees.

• They began experimenting with hedgerows by planting whips and small trees from their nursery to enhance biodiversity.

Wildlife Interaction and Agricultural Practices

• The introduction of buckwheat attracted significant wildlife activity, particularly turkeys. This experimentation included various mowing patterns within the buckwheat pasture.

• A balance between wild growth and structured gardening reflects differing aesthetic preferences between the speaker and Steve; both forms are seen as complementary rather than conflicting.

Innovative Use of Materials

• The construction process involved creative uses for leftover materials from projects, including building features like runnels for water circulation.

• An unconventional approach was taken by repurposing burial caskets as water troughs due to their affordability and durability.

Embracing Naturalism

• After moving to Rome temporarily, there’s an acknowledgment of leaving behind animals but maintaining a deep connection to naturalist principles.

• The speaker expresses a desire to be remembered as a naturalist who shares knowledge about rural landscapes through practices such as foraging with children.

Cultivating Community Through Horticulture

• Their nursery serves as an educational platform where people learn about horticulture hands-on. This experience fosters respect for landscape contractors' work during tree movements.

Building a Passive House and Community Engagement

Creating a Collaborative Space

• The speaker discusses the evolution of their workspace, transitioning from hosting colleagues in their living room to constructing a passive house model studio due to the firm's growth.

• They collaborated with architects from Opal in Maine to create a super-insulated building with triple-glazed windows, aiming for an off-grid lifestyle supported by solar energy.

• The speaker expresses enthusiasm for their experimental gardens, particularly one described as "wildness in a box," which complements the modern design of the building.

Hands-On Learning and Experimentation

• Insights into material properties are shared, such as discovering that white oak live edge boards warp after about 35 feet, emphasizing practical learning through direct experience.

• The importance of outdoor engagement is highlighted; they encourage team members to step outside and observe real-life applications of their designs rather than relying solely on digital tools.

Community Building Through Retreats

• The speaker describes using a grange hall for exhibits and retreats aimed at fostering creativity through hands-on activities like terrarium building and crafting.

• They emphasize the value of tangible projects that can quickly provide satisfaction compared to long-term landscape architecture projects, which can take years to complete.

Innovative Project Development

• A specific project involving Amherst College is introduced, where they built a test plot for gardens on structure as part of collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron.

• The process involved engaging various stakeholders including facilities management and construction teams during the two-day build, highlighting teamwork's role in successful project execution.

Personal Growth and Reflection

• The speaker reflects on personal experiences within their growing practice, noting feelings of being overwhelmed by management responsibilities as the team expanded significantly.

• They share insights gained during a fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, focusing on creative exploration without reliance on technology or precise measurements.

Exploring the Intersection of Nature and Art

The Journey of Foraging and Artistic Expression

• The speaker shares their experience of collecting plant materials and cultural specimens, emphasizing a tactile approach to understanding their environment.

• They highlight the significance of foraged items brought home by their son from preschool, which became integral to their final exhibit at the academy.

• Initial artistic responses to foraging were literal; however, they aimed to evolve towards a looser style in painting.

Community and Collaboration in Creative Spaces

• The importance of communal meals is discussed, where sharing lunch fosters discourse among fellows from diverse fields within arts and humanities.

• The speaker reflects on how these shared moments helped them solve design problems and build connections with others in the community.

Reflections on Practice and Future Directions

• After returning from Rome, the speaker feels rejuvenated with fresh perspectives on their practice, contemplating what direction they want to take moving forward.

• They express excitement about evolving practices within their team as they navigate through mid-career reflections.

Identity as a Naturalist vs. Landscape Architect

• The speaker identifies as a landscape architect but also embraces roles beyond that title, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share insights.

• Acknowledgment of the idyllic nature of their time in Rome prompts discussion about wanting to explore similar experiences further.

Embracing Ecological Perspectives

• There’s an emphasis on ecology resonating throughout recent talks; the speaker's authenticity shines through as they discuss this connection.

• They resist being pigeonholed into specific labels like "ecologist," instead identifying more closely with being a naturalist who cares deeply about environmental systems.

The Role of Architecture and Landscape in Environmental Restoration

Architecture's Impact on the Environment

• Architecture inherently puts pressure on the Earth, regardless of its quality or design intentions. This is not a critique but an acknowledgment of the field's nature.

• Despite efforts from talented architects to create sustainable designs, architecture remains part of the problem rather than the solution. Landscape architecture, however, is viewed as restorative and essential for ecological balance.

Education and Career Shifts in Horticulture

• A professional horticulture program at a garden attracts diverse students, including those aged 30-35 who are changing careers to focus on restoration ecology. This trend highlights a growing interest in environmental sustainability among adults.

• The desire for knowledge about restoration ecology reflects a broader societal shift towards valuing ecological practices over traditional career paths. Students are eager to learn how they can contribute positively to the environment through horticulture.

Empowerment Through Design

• Individuals do not need advanced degrees to effect change; practical experience and advocacy can lead to significant impacts within communities and projects. Many participants come from influential backgrounds that allow them to leverage their skills effectively in design initiatives.

• There is a call for more grassroots involvement in projects rather than relying solely on graduate-level expertise, emphasizing hands-on work as crucial for successful outcomes in environmental projects.

Researching Pre-Colonial Ecologies

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of researching pre-colonial land use and ecology as part of their practice, often collaborating with Indigenous consultants to gain insights into historical landscapes that have been altered or erased over time.

• Understanding past ecologies helps inform current practices and fosters respect for natural systems that existed before colonization, which is vital for effective landscape restoration efforts today.

Current Projects and Future Directions

• Exciting ongoing projects include a major river restoration initiative in Providence, Rhode Island, aimed at revitalizing local ecosystems through thoughtful design consultation. This project represents an opportunity for impactful community engagement with nature conservation efforts.

• Another significant undertaking involves constructing a new student center at Amherst College focused on health and wellness without traditional lawns—marking a shift towards rewilding principles within institutional landscapes over five years of construction work ahead. This approach aims to redefine what campus spaces can represent environmentally and socially.