It's All in the Details

My mind wanders all the time. But I don't see this as a bad thing. I never really realized that other's minds don't tend to wander near as much. My mind wanders in a good way, I don't think it is a bad thing. I think it is just my strange brain's way of keeping the creative juices flowing. (Note to self: give Scott a break about having 29 things in his head at once!) And this is probably the reason I rarely get bored.

Here is one fine example of how it works. Yesterday, I had gone out on a Field Trip with the purpose of going to my favorite Basel museum, SAM, or Schweizerisches Architekturmuseum (www.sam-basel.org ). I only had a short time and I needed to be out of the apartment for that entire time. But I had a friend coming over for dinner, so I couldn't linger. This was sort of an unplanned, badly-timed Field Trip. Some days, strange things happen that are beyond the control of a Hausfrau, and one must just deal with things as they arrive. Just like my life at work.

First, I walked through the Kunsthalle Basel, which is attached to SAM. Wasn't really into that exhibit. Something about parallel universes.... Way too esoteric for me. Then I headed over to the two SAM exhibits. One was on MetroBasel, a book I have already read and loved. Basically, it is a cartoon version of one urban planning class's projects on how to improve the City of Basel. The studio is called ETH and the concept is by Herzog, De Meuron (Bejing Olympics Bird's Nest, anyone?) and Herz, whose offices happen to be across the street from our apartment. Very entertaining, great graphic presentation and a good history/geography/economic/sociology lesson about the area to me, the newcomer, for the small price of 12 Swiss Francs. So that went pretty quickly, been there, done that, loved it.

Upstairs I went, to the art exhibit. A mixture of super-crazy precise, geometric pencil and ink line drawings and some photographs taken by the artist, later in her career. I liked the photos. Then I headed into a small room way in the back of the exhibit where a slide projector was showing photos of the artist throughout her life. From childhood in India to her various studios, etc. It was pretty interesting so I stayed and watched for a bit. But here is when the mind wandering started.

The floor of the room was a sort of herringbone parquet. The wood was well used, deserved a little polish and maybe some poly, but was still in really good shape. As my mind was slowing slipping from the artist and headed to the floor, it just snowballed. Next, I am checking out how they did the edge treatment, trying to figure out if they started the pattern in the center or on the edge, and looking to see if it continued beyond the 4 walls. Maybe the room was originally bigger and for the purpose of the gallery, they put a wall up, which covered the beautiful floor pattern. This was not the case.

Next, I am cursing myself for not bringing my camera. I hate carrying it, but I hate it more when I forget it. I glanced back at the slide show for a minute, then the mind goes back to the floor. Maybe I could use the pattern to create a deck or patio someday. It would look really cool in irregular, reclaimed stone. Sort of a juxtaposition of order and disorder. I am also very fascinated by the idea of modular decking, so then my mind wanders there...

On it went. As it does most days, all day and probably in my dreams, too. Welcome to my world. It's all in the details.

Christmas vs. Swissmas?

Basel has been strung up, lit up and decorated to the hilt. But in a good way. In fact, I so like the Swissmas'd appearance the city now has, that I have taken Field Trips with the sole purpose of taking photos of Basel all dressed up in its holiday finest. This is not a typical Field Trip for me. At home, we rarely decorate for lack of time or lack of desire to increase the electric bill for the month of December.

What does this have to do with landscape architecture and what has it done to me, you ask? It is all about being out in the cold, enjoying the outdoors, friends, food and the landscape. The Baslers have Swissmas'd their city and everyone loves it.

Just like any fine example of landscape architecture, one major intent of the design is to make the visitor feel welcome and want to use the space. If the space is well-liked and utilized, that is a good sign that the design was a success. For a landscape architect, this extends beyond the physicality of the space, or at least it should. You need to get into your clients brain a little. You need to listen to them.

What makes people want to use a space? Sights, sounds, smells. And most importantly, comfort. The landscape needs to be suited for its natural domain, not forced. A poolside tropical paradise looks like a misfit in the backyard in upstate New York in the winter. It just isn't natural. But using what you have on site, climatically speaking, is!

So back to Basel and my theory. If you string it, light it and decorate it, they will come, temporarily. And you will behold the marvel of people actually using public space for programmed activities, in the cold, and loving it, temporarily. In the winter. Imagine that. Cities all over the colder parts of Europe are doing just that right now. People travel from all over the world to see the Weihnachtsmarkts, or Christmas markets, all over Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland. And if there is a little snow, well, then it is like icing on the cake.

I am from the snow belt of western New York. Snow is in my blood. If I could have it every day, I would. I love to ski, shovel, play and have great Snow Days. I don't even mind bundling up for the cold. There it is, my theory - bundle up for the cold. After two and a half decades in chilly Ra-cha-cha, I was very tired of people who lived there for ages complaining about the lovely white stuff. I wanted to say, "Hey, you have lived here since dirt was discovered. Yes, it snows EVERY year. This isn't anything new. In fact, global warming is making it snow less. So quit your complaining and zip up that coat after you put another layer on. And how about some boots, gloves and a hat?" I have no sympathy. There is no bad weather, just bad clothing decisions.

What is it about the season that I think the Swiss do better? The Swiss seem to realize that enjoying the season is about spending time with friends and loved ones. Instead of mall shopping, the Baslers make a temporary event of it. They turn their little slice of urban winter into a place that has sights, sounds, smells and tastes that anyone can appreciate, regardless of religion. Then when it is over and the calendar changes to the next year, it all goes away and doesn't come out until next December. No Christmas in July or months of returns and exchanges. You don't even need cash to enjoy a Weihnachtsmarkt. Just a desire to be out in the cold, enjoying the outdoors, friends and the temporarily festive landscape.

This simplicity is refreshing, just like the weather.