"10 Questions for Landscape Architects" is a series of short talks inspired by the series "10 Questions for...". This time our attention is turned to landscape architects and architects. In today's episode, landscape architect Aleksandra Wiktorko-Rakoczy (Pracownia Szelest) talks about her approach to design.
1 Landscape Architecture in one sentence is ....
... shaping space by bringing out and enhancing the natural and cultural values of the landscape, building landscape interiors and views.
2. The most underrated aspect of landscape architecture is...
... the value of collaborating on multi-discipline projects from the conceptual phase. Creating site development projects based on landscape analysis, identified valuable resources of a site and their protection.
The potential of blue-green infrastructure and a system of nature-based solutions is still underestimated. Despite intensifying climate change, systemic surface rainwater retention systems are still not used enough in practice, resilient design, creation of stable habitats are not common enough. Resilient plant communities are consequently less costly for greenery maintenance. It is worth taking advantage of the opportunities nature has given us.
3 The most inspiring space for you is ....
... undeveloped space, maybe even neglected, the so-called wasteland ... a place with hidden potential. It is inspiring to be able to make such a space attractive and perhaps inspiring to its users.
4. most important book related to landscape architecture?
I don't have one favorite. I appreciate books that show how people's well-being can be influenced through relationships with space.
Certainly, "The Kind City. How to shape the city with care for all" by David Sims....
And on the subject of nature and well-being, perhaps not directly in connection with landscape architecture, but very inspiring is "Forest Therapy" by Catherine Simonienko.
An important item is the publication "Trees in the Life Cycle. European practitioners for arboriculture", the authors are Dirk Dujesiefken, Neville Fay, Jan-Willem de Groot, Nigel de Berker, edited by Kamil Witkoś-Gnach, Piotr Tyszko-Chmielowiec.
5 The most inspiring figure is ....
... Professor Jacek Damięcki, architect and artist. He was the one who first taught me design at the beginning of my studies. He talked amazingly about the creative process, ideas, visions and practical aspects.
6 I start the design process with ....
... walking around the site, learning about the local conditions and getting a sense of the atmosphere of the place. Photos, sketches and notes from the site are valuable material for further work.
7. favorite moment during the work is ...
... the moment when an idea sketch for a detailed design is created. Also, creative discussions on the concept with my partner Maja Skibinska are definitely some of the most interesting moments during work.
8 The most important realization in your career is ....
... the most important realization for me is the opportunity to realize myself in shaping the space. Here even a small project is important, because it improves the quality of our surroundings.
Certainly the project to revitalize Pole Mokotowskie Park in Warsaw was important. This is a topic on which we worked in a team of landscape architects, architects and specialists in other industries. A park of more than 60 hectares, an oasis of wildness in the center of the city, a big design challenge, plus the desire to reconcile the needs of man and nature.
I often go back in my mind to my first public space project, the development of greenery in the Old Town Complex in Sandomierz. That was in 2007.
9. dream project is?
A theme in public space that gives the opportunity to design ecosystems, elements of blue-green infrastructure, in harmony with nature. And preferably without conflicts with the local community, so in the spirit of participatory design. I dream of a design that responds to the needs of users (human and non-human) and provides space for wildlife. I would like to design a place of interspecies symbiosis. It would be ideal if it was some vast area with beautiful views.
10. favorite plant is?
Bloodroot. I really like its structured, burgundy flowers. It's a perennial found in moist meadows. It is a valuable honey plant, a source of food for butterflies, and a medicinal resource for us.
I also like meadow sage, and resinocost. I would like to use medicinal, meadow and ruderal plants in perennial beds as often as possible. These common "weeds" are not only beautiful, but also useful.
