There was a letter sent by my previous employer, Swe Ting. I believe that this may be a very important message that I will need to remember in my practice of Landscape Architecture. I have posted this in my Facebook previously and I honestly respect her work, her passion and her magnificent eye to design.
“Do not forget the unique soul of a landscape architect. Our collective gift and destiny is to discover, engage and express the processes of nature.”
31 October 2010
Dear all,
We are landscape architects. Our primary task is to design with nature. We see, read and engage natural processes to the best of our ability and reinterpret them poetically for our audiences. Marrying science and poetry in our expression . Looking good and being formalistic is a piece of cake and to be expected in all projects.
First, take care of the substance, take care of what is important ; make sure we have not left out the soul in the quest for form.Do not ever forget it is an privilege to speak for the land. We are the unique people who are blessed with the ability to see poetry in nature when the world do not think it is important.
We operate in a world of no agreement.We need no agreement.I promise you we are making history and history will agree with us.
The greatest revolution starts from within. In our being and becoming.
Practicing Landscape architecture is a way of being , a way of perceiving . Our journeys ( PRACTICE) are steps towards an ecology of mind. By PRACTICING, we become our possibilities . We need each other to be our guidance. While serving the client, do not forget the unique soul of a landscape architect…. Our collective gift and destiny is to discover, engage and express the processes of nature.
Alas!
Let us Continue to develop greater substance and depth.
Let us make sure soil sciences is sacred.
-UV light is sacred.( please do not ask client if our plant can survive without UV light.)
-Hydrology is sacred.( subsoil does not work.)
-Soil quality is sacred.( Please do not ask client if soil quality is acceptable to them)
- Rain garden is sacred.( Do not confuse infiltration with cleansing)
- ventilation is sacred.
- Biodiversity is sacred.
- xeriscape is sacred.
- Maintenance is sacred.( Do not accept standard watering and chemical spec.. Think free range, antibiotic free chicken)
- learning is sacred.
- humility is sacred.
- never say die is sacred.
- poetry is sacred….
Becoming Landscape Architect is our destiny and our mission. We need to support each other in this humbling journey of learning and becoming. While we operate in the face of no clients’ agreement and rewards most of the time, history will agree with us.Because there is truth and soul in our works.
Finally, welcome play and delight. Only great works flow from this special place.
Regards,
Swe
