http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Jacob-Javits-Plaza-2.jpg
`Jacob Javits Plaza © Martha Schwartz` 


The landscape architecture profession is still a relatively small one that very little of the general public understands too well. A great deal of the infrastructural design and implementation are often seen as just part of the general architectural discipline and its hard to distinguish good landscape design from poor landscape design. As most of us live in populated cities and large towns, we're also prone to focusing on built work rather than built landscape that surrounds us.

But there is one individual who has redefined the way we look at landscape design and her work also stands out from the general high-design of landscape: **Martha Schwartz**. There are only a handful of notable female practitioners in landscape at this moment and Schwartz's career stands out pointedly amongst all heads of design firms.

Martha Schwartz's launch as a landscape architect was in no way orthodox either and today I'll be looking the one (delicious) icon that started it all.

http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Jacob-Javits-Plaza-4.jpg
`Jacob Javits Plaza © Martha Schwartz` 

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#### *The Bagel Garden*
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We cannot talk about Martha Schwartz without her bagel garden! This is the project that brought her name to fame in the industry.  

A literal garden of literal bagels. During the 1980s when landscape architecture was driven by bureaucratic and corporate projects, heavy-handedly male with clear cut borders of what landscape design meant, Schwartz made something incredible with $20. 

With a couple bills, she bought dozens of bagels. She just wanted to welcome her boyfriend back home with garden design. She was a student and could not afford costly things so we bought bagels and had with fun with them as garden elements. One of her friends thought it was nice, took a photo and submitted it to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) magazine without much expectation. 


http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bagel-Garden-1.jpg
`Bagel Garden © Martha Schwartz and Partners` 

http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bagel-Garden-2.jpg
`Bagel Garden © Martha Schwartz and Partners` 

The ASLA used one for their next magazine cover and things went viral.

Schwartz's background as a fine artist really shined in this moment. The project was widely regarded as worthless and unimpactful, but to many it was a refreshing intervention that proved the infinite amount of other possibilities of how landscape design (no matter how light and ephemeral) could be implemented as much more than burdensome and expensive infrastructure. This disciplinary shock came at just the right time, sparking great contention from many experience-hardened professionals.

Schwartz's argument was simple: **anything can be landscape design**. Rather than working within artificial rules and regulations, designers should infuse their work with personal meaning and open up lateral opportunities for people to make and enjoy creative work.

http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Grand-Canal-Square-5.jpg
`Grand Canal Square © Martha Schwartz and Partners` 

http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Minneapolis-Courthouse-Plaza-2.jpg
`Minneapolis Courthouse Plaza © Martha Schwartz and Partners` 

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### *Playful Pedagogy*
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I had the great pleasure of learning under Martha Schwartz during my few years at graduate school. Of all the fun conversations and meaningful critiques, my biggest takeaway from her was that designers should focus on “manifesting their ideas.” Creative professionals often silo their thoughts and concepts in their head and personal sketchbooks. Even with practical proposals, projects are often shut down due to budgetary or administrative obstacles, nullifying all the hard work and potential impact that could have come out of the project. 

I really enjoyed working with her for her positivity and energy. She may seem harsh but she was such a sincere woman  who really cared about bringing your creative potential out of you as a designer. And here is one of my all time favorite sayings of hers  that is actually shaping my career. 

"Landscape can be anything!" 

http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Garden-Ornaments-4.jpg
`Garden Ornaments © Martha Schwartz Partners` 

http://www.marthaschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Garden-Ornaments-2.jpg
`Garden Ornaments © Martha Schwartz and Partners` 
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<center>*Thanks for reading & Stay tuned for the next story!*</center>


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