Rethinking Beauty: Transforming Landscape Design with Ecological Wisdom
In this episode, landscape architects Kasey Toomey and Hannah Pae of TERREMOTO challenge traditional notions of garden design, emphasizing a living, evolving ecosystem that integrates native species, wildlife, and community. They share their approach to designing with humility, patience, and respect for the land, advocating for spaces that foster deep connections between humans and nature.
Key Topics
Gardens as storytelling and memory-making moments that connect past and future
The importance of listening and observing before acting in landscape design
Thinking of the land and non-human species as true clients
Embracing seasonality, metamorphosis, and ecological relationships in design
Using indigenous and local materials to support native ecosystems
The concept of "no final drawing" — gardens as ongoing, process-driven projects
Designing public spaces that incorporate habitat and promote ecological success
Building resilience to climate change and ecological disasters, like wildfires
Challenging client expectations and shifting aesthetics towards ecological intelligence
The role of patience, humility, and adaptability in sustainable landscape practices
Chapters
00:00 - Gardens as moments for storytelling and connection 02:09 - Supporting artists and literature highlighting our relationship with nature 03:31 - Introduction to TERREMOTO and their ecological landscape approach 04:46 - The non-separateness of humans and nature in design philosophy 07:12 - Approaching projects with patience and listening to existing ecosystems 09:48 - Working with native plants and understanding ecological imbalances 11:52 - Wildlife observation logs and seasonality in native species 15:05 - Rethinking beauty and the aesthetic of gardens through ecological relationships 17:03 - The significance of avoiding final renderings in garden design 18:20 - Designing public spaces that serve both humans and wildlife harmoniously 19:38 - The ecological success indicator: seeing predators like hawks in the space 21:17 - Eco-friendly water management and creating habitat with water features 22:22 - Communicating the value of living, process-driven landscapes to clients 23:50 - Initiating conversations around native species and ecological context 26:40 - Integrating wildlife presence (like herons) into landscape design 27:47 - Building gardens 'not for this civilization, but for the next' 29:00 - Balancing client desires with ecological integrity and material choices 30:20 - The ongoing relationship with projects and monitoring ecological health 31:34 - Planning for resilience amid wildfires and climate disasters 34:45 - Selecting non-toxic, locally sourced materials for ecological safety 36:17 - Building systems that adapt and respond to climate change and disasters 37:11 - Favorite projects and the importance of gardens as ever-evolving processes 40:49 - The LA office garden as a living experiment and continuous learning space 42:49 - Final thoughts on embracing process, humility, and interconnectedness in landscape architectureResources &
Links
TERREMOTO - Landscape architecture firm based in LA & SF
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