"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 Michal Blach (MB1) talks about his approach to design.
Michal Blach about himself: landscape architect, active designer, certified tree inspector, and visual artist. Among other things, I graduated from Landscape Architecture at the University of Life Sciences in Wroclaw, as well as from Risk Management in Tree Environments - Diagnosis, Care, Monitoring at the University of Life Sciences in Poznan, and from Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw. I expanded my knowledge in the field of landscape architecture, among others, at Corvinus University of Budapest, as well as at the Institute of Trees in Wroclaw, obtaining the title of Certified Tree Inspector.
I have been working in the landscape architecture profession since 2005. I deal with inventory studies, tree stand management and designs of both urban spaces (squares, greens, backyards, roadside greenery, greenery accompanying buildings), developers' spaces and private spaces. I prepare studies (dendrological reports, analyses, projects) and carry out procedures in the field of arrangements related to greenery - including historic areas. I run a company called MB1 serving in the field of landscape architecture investments located throughout the country.
1 Landscape Architecture in one sentence is ....
... a very complex set of factors that shape our space, as well as our well-being and the way we perceive space - which people often don't realize.
2. The most underestimated aspect of landscape architecture is...
... sociological aspect, how the components of landscape architecture, such as greenery, among others, affect the users of these spaces.
3. the most inspiring space for you is...
... the one that has been shaped by the power of wind, water, sun; where the plastically sculpted space and compositionally perfect greenery is the work of nature, not human heads and hands. Views of giant cliffs and the vista visible from them, sunny glades after an abrupt exit from the shady forest, moss-covered boulders. The sight of such spaces makes me feel small, trying to remember them and recreate them at least in a small way.
4. the most important book related to landscape architecture is ....
... I don't have one. Since I am fascinated by the ideas behind the assumptions of landscape architecture projects, I like to know what was already there, how it was created, what are the roots of various assumptions, what they stem from and refer to, important books are those on the history of architecture and art and garden art. Equally valuable to me are those studies that allow us to broaden the horizon of knowledge of modern landscape architecture, for example, pointing out the importance of self-regulation of ecosystems, including those we create artificially in our design processes.
5 The most inspiring figure is ....
... anyone who fights for the good, for the other, for animals, and for balance in our already unsustainable world.
6. I begin the design process by...
... trying to analyze and get a feel for what the user of this space would expect from it, such as whether he or she would want to relax in it, or just sneak around heading from point A to point B. And how I can make it comfortable for him to stay in that space.
7 Favorite moment while working is ....
... probably just coming up with it, when, after the initial thoughts and dashes, there is such a flash that I am quite sure of the direction we are going, and that I feel that direction.
8 The most important realization in your career is ....
... I can't say that the most important realization in my career is behind me. There are many very diverse and interesting topics that I have gone through. On the other hand, one of the most important topics because of the scale of the undertaking, the result and the people I worked with was the Revitalization of the Historic City Park in Kluczbork.
9. dream project is...
... that gives a lot of room for shaping the space with greenery, among other things. Unfortunately, many projects - those of developers or municipalities - are related to the development of land, technical conditions, and this entails the necessity to maneuver in the project. What we see - for example, a line of trees - becomes the result of our design efforts and ability to fit into the space.
10 Favorite plant is ...
... I absolutely do not have one, and never will.
