彼得·沃克《城市環境設計》(以下簡稱USD):能否談一下PWP事務所當前的關注點?
彼得·沃克:現在的景觀設計中出現了很多屋頂設計項目,這項技術的發展非常迅猛。應該
彼得·沃克
《城市環境設計》(以下簡稱USD)
:能否談一下PWP事務所當前的關注點?
彼得·沃克:現在的景觀設計中出現了很多屋頂設計項目,這項技術的發展非常迅猛。應該說,PWP在這種新型景觀設計領域處于領先位置。
USD:可否請您舉例談一談您在屋頂設計中的優勢?
彼得·沃克:例如,日本的崎玉廣場(Saitama Plaza)。那里的街道,來來往往的車輛川流不息、擁擠不堪。我們通過提升廣場將行人活動與混亂的高速的交通分離出來,比如節慶活動、到行人到火車站及運動場的流線、餐飲以及休閑娛樂。在廣場上,人們可以駐足休息、看書讀報、也可以和三兩好友聊天消遣。這些就是一個豐富的城市生活的精髓。
但是屋頂花園的植物培育的發展還是不是很突出。我們已經開發的這個屋頂的多層系統,在很多環境很差的城市中,還是促進了植物的自然生長以及成熟。
USD:您怎樣看待景觀設計中的藝術表達?
彼得·沃克:我們一貫秉承的原則是把景觀設計當成一門藝術,如同繪畫和雕塑。
USD:您怎樣看待景觀中藝術性與功能性的關系?
彼得·沃克:所有的設計首先要滿足功能的需要。即使在最具藝術氣息的設計中還是要秉承功能第一的理念,然后才是實現它的形式。例如:柏林的索尼總部首先是一個公共廣場,它的設計十分別致,令人難忘。但是它的設計與形象是在相互依賴中共存的。
USD:您出版過《極簡主義庭院》一書,您能否簡述一下您對極簡主義的定義和理解?
彼得·沃克:物即其本身。
USD:您認為構成這一設計思想的主要源泉是什么?
彼得·沃克:主要是20世紀60年代的極簡主義畫家和雕塑家。
USD:您怎樣看待極簡主義設計與生態學中的最少介入的關系?您對生態設計是怎樣理解的?
彼得·沃克:極簡主義是藝術表現形式,最少介入則是實現這一表現形式的一系列科技煩惱。生態學則是唯一可以應用在景觀設計的科學手段。
USD:在富有藝術性的案例威克道中,您是怎樣具體運用極簡主義的?
彼得·沃克:我們不能在人行道下面放置泥土。半球形的植被成為了這個休憩場所的最基本的形式,還是令人難忘的景觀。
USD:您認為在當前的文化背景中應該怎樣重新看待現代主義和現代主義運動?
彼得·沃克:現代主義者都是理想主義者。他們致力于創造一個更美好的新世界。后現代主義者對現代生活基本上持批評態度。
USD:與SOM合作的北京的美國大使館秉承了怎樣的設計理念?PWP對中國文化又是怎樣理解的?
彼得·沃克:它就像一個中國式庭園,在高高的圍墻內有著豐富多彩的生活。我們非常喜歡中國的傳統手工藝,并在設計中融入相關技術,看上去感覺非常現代。
USD:在“歸零地”設計中,栽了大量的樹,是出于怎樣的想法?
彼得·沃克:紀念地是要銘記那些在9·11事件中殉難的人們。“歸零地”紀念地是重生的象征,重新燃起公眾的希望。樹木在這里代表生命與重生。
USD:您在25歲時就成為了Sasaki公司的合伙人,并于1975年成為舊金山Sasaki Walker的負責人。能否簡單闡述下您與Sasaki先生共事的歲月?
彼得·沃克:佐佐木是我的良師益友。他不僅影響了我的設計工作,也影響了戰后PWP公司和很多其他設計公司的工作方式。
作者簡介:彼得·沃克,生于1932年,美國著名景觀設計師,美國景觀設計師協會理事。彼得·沃克一直活躍在景觀設計教育領域,1978-1981年擔任哈佛大學景觀設計學院系主任。1983年于加利福尼亞州伯克利市成立了彼得·沃克景觀設計合伙人公司。
USD: One North Wacker Drive follows the PWP design philosophy: neat, exquisite and aesthetic. How does PWP design the details? What principles did you follow when using landscape elements?
Walker: Many projects today are built on roofs, and this technology is growing very fast. We think we are on the leading edge of this new form of landscape architecture.
USD: Could you explain by using some examples what the advantages and merits in your roof garden designs are?
Walker: As in Saitama Plaza in Japan, the streets are filled with automobile and service vehicles. By lifting up the plaza the pedestrian activities such as festival, access to the arena and train station, eating and recreation are separated from the speed and confusion of the traffic movement. On the plaza, one can stop, sit, read or talk with a friend. These are the essence of a rich urban life.
Still the roof is sterile in terms of the growth of plants. The layered systems we have been developing encourage, and in many cases improve the natural processes of growth and maturity within the generally more hostile urban environment.
USD: What is your opinion about art expression in landscape architecture projects?
Walker: We have always practiced landscape architecture as an art form, equal to painting and sculpture.
USD: Do you think artful landscape architecture should also have functions? If so, how do you integrate arts and functions in a landscape design? Could you give us an example?
Walker: All design is expressed through its functions. Even the most artful designs function first and only then realize their form. For instance, Sony Headquarters in Berlin is first a public square whose formal aspects make it unique and memorable. Its purpose and its image are interdependent.
USD: You wrote the Minimalist Gardens. What is the definition of minimalism?
Walker: The object is the thing itself.
USD: Where did the inspiration come from?
Walker: The minimalist painters and sculptors of the 1960’s.
USD: What would you say is the relationship between minimalist design and minimum intervention (referring to minimum ecological intervention)? What is your opinion about ecological design?
Walker: One is a form of art and the other is a series of scientific techniques. Ecology is one, but only one of the tools available in landscape design.
USD: How did you apply the minimalism in the artful project – One North Wacker Drive?
Walker: We could not place dirt below the sidewalk surface. The raised tree balls became the memorable and primary form of the park.
USD: What are your thoughts about modernism and the modernist movement versus the present culture?
Walker: The modernists were idealists. They strove to create a new and better world. The post-modernists are basically critiques of modern life.
USD: You were commissioned for the American Embassy, Beijing with collaboration with SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP). What is the design concept of this project? What do you think of Chinese culture?
Walker: The Embassy is like a Chinese garden, in that a full life is to go on within its walls. We loved the handicraft tradition within the arts of China, and we incorporated many of these techniques within our design, which in formal terms is modern.
USD: A lot of trees are used in the design of “World Trade Center Memorial: Reflecting Absence”. What’s the intention of growing many trees there?
Walker: The Memorial remembers those who died on 9/11 but it is also a symbol of rebirth and public revival. The trees represent this life and rebirth.
USD: At the age of 25, you became the partner of SASAKI and in the year 1975 you were in charge of Sasaki Walker, San Francisco. Could you tell us about your time with Mr. Sasaki?
Walker: Hideo was my teacher and mentor. He affected not only my design work, but also the way that we and many other offices have practiced in the post war period.