"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 Jakub "Gardner" Mysliwiec talks about his approach to design.
Jakub "Gardner" Mysliwiec about himself: designer and contractor of gardens, associate developer, industry consultant. Creator and promoter of the concept of the Minimal Garden - limiting human presence in the garden to functional garden interiors, in order to return the remaining parts of the plot to nature. His goal is to make a significant impact on the outdoor industries in Poland, providing them with a comprehensive leap in development, especially at the level of building knowledge capital, popularizing good practices and preparing new generations of highly skilled and informed professionals.
1 Landscape Architecture in one sentence is ....
... always a fascinating and re-arranged puzzle - how do I satisfy individual wishes and whims and deep human (investor) needs on one site, and at the same time create a place that restores natural resources and thus serves the general public and the entire planet.
2 The most underrated aspect of landscape architecture is ....
... the healing power of life that comes from true biodiversity. We want gardens that are orderly, geometric, tidy, where everything is under control, as in an evenly trimmed lawn or in avenue trees planted in a row. But it is only in the wilds of Nature, in chaos such as in the forests of Miyawaki, for example, that life-giving goodness happens. The Indians will call it prana, the Chinese will call it chi, and we will see oxygen molecules and friendly microbes under the microscope.
3 The most inspiring space for you is ....
... a mountain stream and its banks, a forest, a desert, a char... wild nature. The more untouched and unpolluted by man - the more inspiring.
4. the most important book related to landscape architecture is ....
... my specialty is the design of private gardens, so I will subjectively answer about what has shaped my passion. One of the first positions that impressed me most in my teenage years and largely shaped my taste is the book "Modern Gardens" by Terrance Conran and Dan Pearson. I also really appreciate Russell Page's "Educating the Gardener," because it conveys a lot of practical tips and shows the life of a gardener as adventurous and challenging. I also passionately read all plant catalogs, especially those written by practitioners, such as the Nurserymen's Association, but also albums of native trees and shrubs - they give you a better feel for the requirements you need to provide plants.
5 The most inspiring figure is ....
... two people.
Charles Jencks - American postmodernist, architectural historian and extremely talented landscape designer, especially of landforms. I love his landforms, but I also learned a lot about aesthetics through his books. He placed great importance on shaping space as a series of impressions happening in motion, while walking.
Roberto Burle Marx - a great modernist, Brazilian landscape architect, but also a multifaceted artist whose style is very unique. I love the way he guides the lines, how he shapes the figures, seemingly geometrically, but yet softens them as if according to the principles of feng shui. He was also a great defender of wildlife.
6 I start the design process with a ....
... pause.
Before coming up with a concept, we conduct an extensive preparatory stage in my studio. We conduct a deep survey of wishes and needs with investors, analyze the situation on and around the plot. We work out the materials for the job on the basis of a house design from architects and interior designers and a map from a surveyor, updated according to our guidelines. Then I leave the topic for a week or two, not thinking about it at all, so that all the blocks settle and the subconscious does its work. Only after this necessary rest do we have a chance to create a really good garden concept.
7 Favorite moment while working is ....
... handing over the created, polished garden to the investors. After all, that's what we're there for - to deliver a finished work, ready to be enjoyed, and not just slickly visualized promises on paper.
8 The most important realization in your career is ....
... currently one of the biggest challenges was the construction of a garden on an area of nearly 3 hectares, located picturesquely on the banks of a river. We preserved many natural groves and created as many new ones, while maintaining the minimalist and elegant design of the open space, subtle but nevertheless spectacular landscaping (to which we brought more than 10,000 m³ of soil), overgrown with lawns and flower meadows. We also arranged against a background of wild scrubland a lovely collection of solitaries, original species and beautifully colored in autumn.
9. dream project is...
... I put my heart into every project I undertake. The dream project is the one that will be realized, I don't like to design for a drawer. The space is to be beautifully and cleverly planned and executed, and to serve the users well - to provide comfort of use and to be friendly in care.
10 Favorite plant is ...
... I like all plants that are well cared for and grow well. And this is the case when they are chosen properly for the conditions and taken care of with care. I don't have my favorite types that I would try to locate in every garden. I try to carefully identify local conditions and adjust the selection of plants so that everything grows lushly and in harmony with each other, so that the composition is successful both immediately after planting and 5,10 or 30 years later. I have well over 1,000 items on my list of proven and used species and varieties.
