The pioneering work of landscape architect Lawrence Halprin will be explored at “Landscape as Catalyst,” an upcoming seminar at the A + D Museum to be held on November 4, 2017. During his fifty-year career Halprin designed many well-loved places. He is perhaps best known for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, DC, and for the amazing participatory fountains he designed for Portland, Oregon. The fountains in Portland were commissioned by the city’s redevelopment agency with the goal of revitalizing downtown Portland, and were constructed between 1966 and 1970. Today, these landscapes are under the stewardship of the Halprin Foundation. Halprin built on the idea of a landscape sequence in the work he did in Los Angeles, for the Community Redevelopment Agency and then for developer Robert Maguire. This sketch below shows the idea of two of the public spaces, the garden at the Central Library and the Bunker Hill Steps, connected by a richly landscaped Grand Avenue. While the plan for Grand Avenue wasn’t realized, Halprin did build four landscapes in downtown Los Angeles. In our next blogs, we’ll feature these places: Grand Hope Park, Wells Fargo Plaza, Maguire Gardens and the Bunker Hill Steps. #bunkerhillsteps, #grandhopepark, #irakellerfountain, #landscapearchitecture; #landscapeascatalyst, #landscapesequence, #lawrencehalprin, #lisagimmy, #losangelescentrallibrary, #maguiregardens, #wellsfargoplaza

Still Great Lawn Alternatives By Jeff Graham, ASLA While rains have left our region looking lusher and more refreshed than they have in years, one thing is certain: here in Southern California the welcome reprieve will only be temporary. With our Mediterranean climate we must look to plantings that can take advantage of the hot, dry summers. Succulents, native grasses, evergreens, and fruit trees such as olives, figs, walnuts and grapes almost always do well. But what about the lush green lawns, for which Los Angeles has become famous? They’re not exactly climate-appropriate. So what is a suitable alternative? As landscape architects, we are inspired by the biodiversity that a living landscape can provide. What we don’t want to see is artificial turf. Artificial turf enjoyed a surprising resurgence in popularity as an alternative to water-thirsty lawns. However, synthetic turf is often composed of recycled tires and polypropylene. A Yale University study found 11 chemicals used in these materials are likely to be carcinogenic, while 20 are skin, eye and respiratory irritants. Additionally, the surface temperature of artificial turf on a 98-degree day can reach 170 degrees—which is hotter than asphalt. This “heat island” can increase energy costs, and damage adjacent plants and trees. We’ve employed two types of natural alternatives to high-water lawns. At the Richard Neutra-designed Hafley House we installed Native Bentgrass (pictured above). This medium leaf sod thrives in full sun and partial shade, is drought tolerant, and its strong sod mat provides an effective weed barrier. The texture and bright color of the Native Bentgrass at the Hafley House (pictured above) provides a nice contrast. At the historic Hindry House in Pasadena, we opted for something different: Native Mow Free sod, a versatile grass that is beautiful either as a traditional turf lawn or as a short meadow grass, reaching 18.” It’s a mixture of Festuca rubra (Molate fescue), Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue), and Festuca occidentalis (Western Mokelumne fescue). Selected it for its reputed shade and cold tolerance (said to be greater than Native Bentgrass), it does well in full sun, and can endure light foot traffic. While it’s a slow grower, if you do decide to mow it, cut no shorter than 4.” Once it’s established, Native Mow Free should require half of the water that sod typically demands. And if it turns to a straw-like color in the summer, low supplemental water will bring back its deep green hue. Gagnier Landscape, the contractor (who sourced the sod from Soils Solutions in Los Angeles and through the grower Delta Bluegrass), did a great installation. LGLA is excited to continue watching how this grass transforms through the coming months. #deltabluegrass, #hafleyhouse, #heinemanandheineman, #hindryhouse, #kellysutherlinmcleodarchitecture, #landscapearchitecture, #lisagimmy, #nativebentgrass, #hafleyhouse, #hindryhouse, #artificialturf, #nativemowfree, #richardneutra, #soilssolutions

From Flower Power to Vocal Power: A Grand Night of Opera at the Virginia Robinson Gardens Published by Lisa Gimmy, ASLA, LEED AP Photo Courtesy of El Nido Family Centers Once the site of glamorous soirees, Virginia Robinson’s legendary Beverly Hills mansion and garden has become a destination for horticulture enthusiasts, landscape architects, admirers of nature…and now, music lovers as well. A little backstory… During her lifetime Viginia Robinson led the comfortable life of socialite: playing tennis, throwing lavish parties, swimming in her pool—which was modeled after the famous Villa Pisani in Italy—and, of course, spending time cultivating her extraordinary gardens. Also renowned for her philanthropy, Robinson was one of the last grand dames of the Hollywood era. In her forward-thinking wisdom, she decided to bequeath her home to the county so that future generations could enjoy the gardens. Since 1982 the organization Friends of Robinson Gardens has been holding an annual tour—to promote this historically significant landmark and to raise funds for preservation and educational programs throughout the year. For the tour, held every third Saturday in May, event organizers bring in florists who literally transform the rooms of the Robinson’s house into flower-filled fantasias. In this photo below from this past May’s tour, you can see how florist Grand Eclair created a tableau with roses, hydrangeas and peonies literally flowing from the meadow into Virginia’s bedroom. One of the loveliest aspects of Robinson’s single-story home is that it is designed to catch the gentle winds that come up the hillside, so that even on the warmest of days, the house remains relatively cool. In this photo of Virgina’s bath, you can see the curtains billowing in the breeze along with Flowermaid’s lovely floral arrangements. Robinson’s personal garden is a little over five acres and comprises three components: a formal core with the house at the lower end, and a lawn that rises up gradually to the nearby swimming pool and pavilion. The western exposure, being dryer, features Mediterranean plantings. The Robinsons were part of a large social network within Beverly Hills, so it’s no coincidence that the house and the pool house were designed for hosting parties—which is exactly what Friends of Robinson Gardens is doing: recreating the type of party that Robinson would have had, were she still with us today. #flowermaid, #friendsofrobinsongardens, #gardenconservancy, #grandeclair, #kingpalmforest, #kitchenforexploringfoods, #landscapearchitecture, #losangeleslandscaping, #lisagimmy, #operaonthegreatlawn, #villapisaniitaly, #virginiarobinson

Just in time for summer, the LA Times profiles 'A Cool Spot.' Lisa Boone's article focuses on the collaborative nature of the dramatic makeover, illustrated by before-and-after photos. It was a joy working with our clients - David, Joseph, and family - and we're very happy to see them enjoying life in the garden. Lisa thanks and recognizes the great work done by project architect Koffka/Phakos Design, First Point Construction, Darin Marten and LGLA senior designer Les Sechler. It's been a busy time at LGLA. Over the last couple of weekends, Lisa has overseen events at notable private gardens for The Cultural Landscape Foundation and California Preservation Foundation, and a garden tour at Virginia Robinson Gardens. Thanks to those of you who were able to join us! #darinmarten, #firstpointconstruction, #koffkaphakosdesign, #lisaboone, #losangelestimes, #queereyeforthestraightguy, #davidcollins, #virginiarobinsongardens

Join Lisa as she leads discussions at two memorable locations in one single day! As part of Garden Dialogues made popular by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, we are pleased to announce the opportunity to visit two wonderful gardens: Mar Vista's Light/Breeze House and Garden, and the gardens surrounding the home of Pasadena-based landscape architect Nord Eriksson. The Light/Breeze House and Garden, remodeled and designed by Howard Rosen, architect, and Pamela Palmer of ARTECHO Architecture + Landscape Architecture, features a remodeled 1939 house set on a gentle slope in Mar Vista, with views out across tree tops toward the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese concept of “hide and reveal” is experienced both spatially and temporally. A flight of steps through a bamboo forest leads to a terrace populated by Howard’s succulent collection. The concept of home as garden pavilion becomes evident when, at the front door, one sees through the house to the back yard. Walls and ceilings of the house were removed to reveal an Origami-like volume for living now infused with light and air. Foliage in the front yard captures the ocean breeze, which is then funneled through the house to naturally condition the air. Walls are scrims of varying transparencies, which record ever-shifting atmospheric moods while bringing actual and projected images of the garden into one’s momentary experience. Integrating new with existing two and three-dimensional geometries resulted in the creation of a spatial framework whose source is revealed when the shape of the pool becomes visible. Nord Eriksson's home garden is equal parts laboratory and sanctuary, bringing together a lifetime of influences. The 1949 ranch-style home offered the chance to develop artful garden rooms on the 18,000 square foot lot. Largely a blank slate, the grounds beckoned for something new. Hints of Nord’s appreciation of Scandinavian, Japanese, and Mediterranean design can be found in the remade gardens. The gently sloping land, anchored by a magnificent native Englemann Oak, was terraced to create interest, retain rainwater, and create a variety of spaces for family life and entertaining. A tapestry of textural paving weaves throughout… concrete, brick, slate, gravel and pebble are crafted into a soulful mix. Walls of arroyo cobble and concrete block trace lines in the garden, originally laid out by pioneering landscape architect Edward Hunstman-Trout. A sojourn to Spain and Mallorca allowed Nord to study resilient landscapes and influenced his design of the lap pool and plantings of the rear gardens. In the front yard, ivy has been replaced by a mix of grasses and salvias, with accents of agaves and aloes.

LGLA Creates a Landscape for the Next 100 Years LGLA’s newly completed landscape for Pasadena’s historic Hindry House made its debut last week at the President’s Circle Reception for the 2017 California Preservation Conference. The five-year transformation of the landmark 1910 Heineman and Heineman Mission Revival estate began with a meticulous preservation and restoration by Kelly Sutherlin McLeod Architecture. LGLA researched and documented the history of the landscape, which includes the original Craftsman-era setting and a naturalistic swimming pool designed by noted landscape architect Courtland Paul. The landscape design creates new spaces that address the needs of contemporary life while balancing the two periods of significance. Our congratulations to KSMA and the project team: Steven Keylon, Specialized and Laing, Gagnier Landscape, and Scenic Pool and Spa! Reminder: The Cultural Landscape Foundation will be hosting its popular Garden Dialogues this weekend. On Sunday, Lisa will be facilitating conversations and lunch at Artecho's Light/Breeze house and garden, then later at EPT Principal, Nord Eriksson's personal garden. #californiapreservationfoundation, #heinemanandheineman, #hindryhouse, #kellysutherlin #mcleodarchitecture, #mssionrevival, #pasadenacraftsman

Please join Lisa as she leads a tour of LGLA's newest landscape: Pasadena's historic Hindry House. The conversation will cover LGLA's role in the property's recent and extensive historic preservation, led by award-winning architect Kelly Sutherlin McLeod, and will reveal its treatment plan for the property's two periods of significance: the landscape as originally designed by architects Heineman and Heineman, and the second period, under the guidance of noted landscape architect Courtland Paul, FASLA. The tour is part of a multi-day celebration by the California Preservation Foundation and Pasadena Heritage as they recognize the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the CPF

Join Lisa at The Cultural Landscape Foundation’s Los Angeles Garden Dialogues on Sunday, May 21. The theme for this year’s dialogues is “Artists in Their Gardens.” Lisa will explore the concept of the artist’s garden as sanctuary and laboratory with Pamela Palmer and Howard Rosen at their Light/Breeze House in Mar Vista, and with Nord Eriksson at his home in Pasadena. The Light/Breeze House is a playful and engaging home and garden designed by Pamela Palmer and Howard Rosen, principals of Artecho Architecture + Landscape Architecture. A radical restructuring of a 1939 bungalow created a loft-like interior with a dramatic connection to the rear garden. Bamboo and exuberant subtropical plants frame the garden, while the succulent collection is on display at the entry, around the pool, and even on the garage wall. Guests will recognize the plants as inspiration for Howard's digital art. Landscape architect Nord Eriksson's garden lies at the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, and the colors and textures of his garden celebrate the location. Building on a garden framework by Edward Huntsman-Trout, Nord has created a serene sequence of garden spaces inspired by the landscape legacy of Eriksson, Peters and Thoms, as well as classic mid-century landscapes and his travels in Spain. Participants will enjoy a light lunch at the Light/Breeze House, and drinks and appetizers at the Eriksson garden. #artecho, #eptdesign, #gardendialogues, #howardrosen, #lIghtbreezehouse, #norderiksson; #pamelapalmer, #rosenpalm, #TCLF

Woodbury University’s symposium “Unmentionables” put forward the premise that interior design can tackle topics forbidden within mainstream architectural discourse. The event, co-chaired by Annie Chu and Heather Scott Peterson, was a wild success, bringing together over twenty practioners for a free-wheeling but structured conference that touched on topics as diverse as 3D printing with repurposed waste materials, design for space travel, and the nature of kitsch. Courtney Coffman’s presentation, “Curtain-as-Wall,” explored the hidden history of the curtain in 20th and 21st century architecture. Focusing on relatively unknown images of modernist icons such as Mies Van Der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion, Coffman revealed the importance of the curtain in contemporary architecture. Her talk included some startling images, including Adolf Loos’ sensuous design for his wife, Lina’s, bedroom. This minimalist masterpiece was created in 1903! Paulette Singley provided a fascinating meditation on “Pellicular Zones,” the skin or border of a building. Among the thought-provoking images was Kengo Kuma’s Floating Teahouse. The temporary structure is made of a transparent helium filled balloon draped with translucent organza, which acts as a meditation space of mysterious beauty. Thanks to Woodbury's Interior Architecture Department for an inspiring day! #adolfloos, #anniechu, #courtneycoffman, #floatingteehouse, #heatherscottpeterson, #kengokuma, #linaloos, #paulettesingley

Lecture at the Palm Springs Art Museum as part of Modernism Week Our thanks to the many photographers whose skill and work, as displayed in the beautiful images we shared with you, have documented the remarkable projects we discussed during the presentation at the Palm Springs Art Museum during Modernism Week. Sources Arnold, C.D. and Higinbotham, H.D. View of Japanese Tea Garden From Lagoon. The Project Gutenberg EBook of Official Views Of The World’s Columbian Exposition. 2007. Wikimedia. Accessed 19 December 2016. Angeles, Marc. The Black Desert House. Archdaily. 7 February 2014. http://www.archdaily.com/474086/black-desert-house-oller-and-pejic-architecture . Accessed 23 January 2017. Campbell-Lange, Barbara-Ann. John Lautner. Cologne, Germany: Taschen Publishing. 1999. Church, Thomas D., Grace Hall and Michael Laurie. Gardens Are For People. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 1995. Coyier, Jack. Architect’s Garden. March 2013. Cygelman, Adele. Palm Springs Modern. New York, NY: Rizzoli International Publications, 1999. de Meuron, P. Herzog & de Meuron: 1981-2005. Madrid, Spain: El Croquis, 2005. Design Onscreen. E. Stewart Williams. Denverartmuseum.org. Denver Art Museum. http://denverartmuseum.org/calendar/nature-modernism-e-stewart-williams-architect Accessed 8 February 2017. DOTW News. Petra Jordan. Dotwnews.com. Destinations of the World. 9 December 2015. http://www.dotwnews.com/tech/google-captures-the-wonders-of-jordan-s-petra-with-street-view-mapping . Accessed 16 February 2017. Ellis, John. Kun II. November 2010. Eric. A Closer Look at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel ‘Peacock Chair.’” Urbanremainschicago.com. 27 January 2017. http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/news-and-events/2017/01/27/a-closer-look-at-frank-lloyd-wrights-imperial-hotel-peacock-chair-2/ . Accessed 16 February 2017. Esto Photographics, Mamaroneck, NY. Gibberd, Matt & Hill, Albert. Dominus Winery by Herzog & de Meuron. Telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 12 November 2013. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/property-and-architecture/11579/grape-expectations-the-rise-of-statement-wineries.html Accessed 17 January 2017. Golub, Jennifer. Albert Frey / houses 1 + 2. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press, 1999. Google. Wendell Burnette Architects. April 2016. Accessed 14 February 2017. Pedro E. Guerrero. Pedro E. Guerrero: A Photographer’s Journey. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press, 2007. Halprin, Lawrence. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 1997. J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles K., Kathryn. Amiens Cathedral. Studyblue. https://s3.amazonaws.com/classconnection/423/flashcards/3944423/jpg/5-142b198520451d27ce1-14C04ADB26C03E26A74.jpg Accessed 7 February 2016. Kassler, Elizabeth. Modern Gardens and the Landscape. New York, New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1964. Levine, Neil. Fallingwater, Kaufmann House, Mill Run, Penn., 1934-1937. View from south, below second falls. Fallingwater and Pittsburgh. (Menocal, Narciso, Ed., Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press, 2000. Lewis, Brian. Frey House II by Albert Frey. Lumisphotography.com. Lumis Photography. http://www.lumisphotography.com/frey-house-ii-albert-frey/ Accessed 2 February 2017. McNally, Joe. Stonehenge Above. National Geographic. http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/archaeology/photos/stonehenge/#/stonehenge-above_24772_600x450.jpg. Accessed 6 February 2016. Meech, Julia. Frank Lloyd Wright and the Art of Japan. New York, New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2001. Museum of Modern Art, New York. Frank Lloyd Wright with Wingspread Model at the Exhibition, “Frank Lloyd Wright, American Architect.” Archdaily. http://www.archdaily.com/270097/frank-lloyd-wright-archives-relocates-to-new-york/ap41 Accessed 8 February 2017. Nunn, Jennie. John Lautner. Sfgate.com. San Francisco Gate. 15 July 2011. http://blog.sfgate.com/wallflower/2011/07/15/john-lautner-turns-100-series/ Accessed 8 February 2017. Nute, Kevin. Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan: The Role of Traditional Japanese Art and Architecture in the Work of Frank Lloyd Wright. New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1993. Oller and Pejic. Archilovers. http://www.archilovers.com/teams/568870/oller-pejic.html#projects . Accessed 14 February 2017. Palmer, Pamela. Walking on Stone. Pinterest. 1000+ Ideas About Herzog; 1000+ Ideas About Gabion Walls; Owl Creek Residence. Accessed 13 February 2017. Pfeiffer, B.B. (2010). Wright: 1917-1942. Cologne, Germany: Taschen Publishing. Reed, D. & Hilderbrand, G. (2012). Visible invisible. New York, NY: Metropolis Books. Sarra, Valentino. Frank Lloyd Wright. Time. January 17, 1938. Vol. XXXI No. 3. Sutherlin McLeod, Kelly. Hindry House, c. 1910. Taylor, Isaac. Lascaux Cave Walls. “16 Places Around the World You Can’t Visit.” M2Now. http://www.m2now.co.nz/1-16-places-around-the-world-you-cant-visit/2/ Accessed 6 February 2017. Timmerman, Bill. Desert Courtyard House. Archdaily. http://www.archdaily.com/531473/desert-courtyard-house-wendell-burnette-architects . Accessed 18 January 2017. Trieb, Marc. Landscapes of Modern Architecture: Wright, Mies, Neutra, Aalto, Barragán. New Haven, CT: Yale Books, 2016. Wendell Burnette Architects. Desert Courtyard House / Wendell Burnette Architects. Archdaily. http://www.archdaily.com/531473/desert-courtyard-house-wendell-burnette-architects/53d44d24c07a80d971000071-desert-courtyard-house-wendell-burnette-architects-image; http://www.archdaily.com/531473/desert-courtyard-house-wendell-burnette-architects/53d44d89c07a80595e000060-desert-courtyard-house-wendell-burnette-architects-ground-floor-plan . Accessed 14 February 2017. Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra at Taliesin, 1924. Crosse, John. Socalarchhistory. Southern California Architectural History, 18 May 2011, https://socalarchhistory.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html . Accessed 8 February 2017. Richard Neutra. Sahscc.org. Society of Architectural Historians, Southern California Chapter. http://www.sahscc.org/site/index.php?function=architect_details&id=7 . Accessed 8 February 2017. All other images provided by Claus Best and Lisa Gimmy. #palmspringsartmuseum, #modernismweek, #albertfrey, #architectsgarden, #craigelwood; #desertcourtyardhouse, #dominuswinery, #estewartwilliams, #edrishouse, #elrodhouse; #franklloydwright, #gardendesign, #gardenrestoration, #gacemillerhouse, #heinemanandheineman, #herzoganddemeuron, #hhindryhouse, #japanesegardens, #johnlautner. #kunII, #landscapearchitecture, #loewyhouse, #martingarden, #maxpalevskyhouse, #midcenturyarchitecture, #midcenturylandscapes, #ollerandpejic, #palmspringsmodernism, #poollandscaping, #richardneutra, #theblackdeserthouse, #thomasdchurch, #wendellburnette

Lisa will be speaking at Palm Springs Modernism Week. Her talk will focus on the incorporation of stone in modernist buildings and landscapes in Palm Springs, and will trace the origin of this expression in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The lecture will conclude with an exploration of the use of stone in contemporary buildings and landscapes. The lecture will be held at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Our friend Gere Kavanaugh is profiled in the July/August issue of Metropolis Magazine. It’s an entertaining and in-depth interview that explores her history and her multi-faceted, continually evolving career in design. Gere and I share a passion for ceramics. This photo, in which Gere is wearing a coat of her own design, was taken on an expedition to see Ralph Bacerra’s mural at the Western Asset Plaza in Pasadena. Gere was among the first female graduates at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, along with Ray Eames, Florence Knoll, and Ruth Adler Schnee. She is a renaissance woman who has applied her prodigious talents to graphic design, exhibition design, interiors, furniture, fabrics, and toys, just to get started. Gere was awarded a 2016 AIGA Medal in recognition of her lifelong achievements and contributions to the field of design. AIGA has posted a brief biography and a charming video to its website. And, look for Gere Kavanaugh, Designer (Metropolis Books) on bookshelves this Fall! This issue of Metropolis honors their 35th year in print, and it is additional cause for celebration that the periodical, which has consistently reached across professional disciplines, has achieved this milestone. Gere’s interview is part of the “Perspectives” section, which also profiles Denise Scott Brown and Allegra Fuller Snyder. The issue also features stories on the top interiors of 2016 and an excellent article with Charles Waldheim on the origins – and future – of landscape urbanism. Don’t miss it! #allegrafullersnyder, #charleswaldheim, #cranbrookacademyofart, #deborahsussman, #denisescottbrown, #donchadwick, #exhibitiondesign, #fabrics, #florencekfnoll, #frankgehry, #furniture, #gerekavanaugh, #graphicdesign, #interiors, #multidisciplinarydesigner, #ralphbacerra, #rayeames, #ruthadlerschnee, #toys