Merit Award -- Communications

Inside Outside: Between Architecture and Landscape

Linda Pollak, Associate ASLA and Anita Berrizbeitia, authors

Linda Pollak
Author
Marpillero Pollak Architects
132 Duane Street, #1
New York, NY 10013
Tel: 212-619-5560
Fax: 212-619-5561
mpstudio@aol.com

Scope: The book's scope is primarily theoretical and practical. We make it clear that we are writing as designers, and that the strength of the exploration comes in large part from our mutual awareness of how space works, in material and conceptual terms.

The book's philosophy and intent has to do with the concept of "operation" described in the introduction. The five operations are not fixed categories, but rather are developed through the discussions of the projects. It "happens" through the discussion of different kinds of possible relationships between architecture and landscape architecture.

How accomplished: Most of the photographs in the book are by myself and my co-author, taken on fellowship, teaching, or research trips over a period of years, as designers, with the goal of understanding how these environments work, We each managed and wrote about twelve of the twenty-four projects, critiquing each other's texts. The book can be thought of as an extended conversation, conducted through discussion of projects. We wrote introductions together, allowing our individual voices and approaches to inform one another.

Role of entrant versus role of other participants: As two co-authors, our roles were equivalent. My co-author is a landscape architect. I am an architect with educational background and experience in, as well as an abiding commitment to landscape architecture.

There is no publication comparable to this book. It is a sustained exploration, written through the projects, in which every image is located in relation to an evolving argument, and every caption is tied to the text.

Project's effect on public perception of the profession: The book shows not only new projects but new ways of thinking about existing projects, It helps to address the separation between landscape architecture and architecture, without trying to blur the boundaries between them.

Part of the book's goal is to raise consciousness of the crucial role of landscape architecture in projects that are known primarily, even canonically as "architecture." One such project is the Kimbell Museum, in which we articulate the primary role of the entry grove and other landscape elements. The book is critical, in its desire to reveal what is often unknown and undocumented, certainly unsung role of landscape architecture in many projects.