Contemporary design

• West 8
• Martha Schwartz
• Room 4.1.3

West 8

Biography
West 8 is a Dutch team of urban planners, architects, designers and landscape architects and is one of the most well known contemporary design firms in the Netherlands. Established in 1987, West 8’s work extends throughout Europe, with large-scale urban design and landscape projects such as redesigning the northern Copenhagen waterfront and the public square of Schouwburgplein in Rotterdam. West 8’s belief is that the contemporary landscape is made up of many components “designed and undesigned.” They use ecology, infrastructure, climatic conditions and how people use a space to design in an optimistic and playful way, stimulating people to “take possession of a space.”

Websites
http://www.west8.nl/projects/
http://www.architectureweek.com/2000/1206/culture_1-1.html
http://www.dutchdesignevents.com/news_110202_west8.html

Martha Schwartz

Biography
Martha Schwartz is an American landscape architect and artist, known for her original, unconventional designs and her artistic approach to urban projects. Her work involves designing public spaces and private gardens that incorporate landscape art.  The materials she uses originate from an interest in pop art, and she uses extreme colours, unique materials and outrageous concepts which often cause controversy about the nature of urban landscape.

She has established offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in London, U.K.  Her website lists a wide variety of projects, and she has worked with many world-renowned architects. Some of these projects include Jacob Javits Plaza (New York City), Whitehead Institute Splice Garden (Cambridge Massachusetts), and more recently, the Mesa Art and Entertainment Centre in Arizona.

Websites

http://www.marthaschwartz.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Schwartz
http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/lam/lamarticles02/march02/constellation.html

Books*
Martha Schwartz: Transfiguration of the Commonplace - Elizabeth Meyer & Heidi landecker (L)
The vanguard landscapes and gardens of Martha Schwartz - T. Richardson (L)
Topos Journal, Issue 51 - Prospective Landscapes (L)

Room 4.1.3
Garden of Australian Dreams (PDF 428 KB)

Books*
Radical Landscapes: re-inventing outdoor space -Jane Amidon (L & C)