Martha schwartz biography
Martha Schwartz
Martha Schwartz Partners, USA
Title: Climate Change And The Roles Of The Urban Landscape
Biography
Martha Schwartz is a landscape architect, urbanist, and climate activist, with a deep commitment to addressing climate change through her work. As a founding member of the Landscape Architecture Foundation's (LAF) "Working Group on Climate Change," she has been at the forefront of integrating climate solutions into urban landscapes. Her expertise spans a diverse range of projects, from site-specific art installations to strategic planning collaborations with cities, all aimed at creating "Climate Ready" urban environments. Schwartz is also a tenured Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where she imparts her knowledge and passion for transforming urban public spaces to foster climate resilience.
Abstract
Climate Change will have severe impacts on most cities, many which we are not aware of yet. Most people are already living in cities. 70% of the world’s population will be living in Cities by 2030. Therefore it’s extremely important to understand what cities will be facing in the near future, as we are not going to stop pumping oil, creating even more emissions, the Earth will continue to heat up, creating dangerous impacts on Humans. Landscape Architects work with nature, and all the land outside the buildings which is the largest, underutilized area within the city but can be the solution to “EXTREME HEAT, and Floods, only IF our cities have enough land to green their cities. We will need our city Decision-Makers to understand the climate impacts on their cities. Right now, we must begin to Re-Plan to Re-Organize our cities, and work with Nature, so we can live in Livable cities in the future. But within our cities, there will be many other benefits and necessities we will need, as we depend on nature which we’ve destroyed, and is imperative for our future and Born in Philadelphia, PA, Martha Schwartz studied landscape architecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), earning her master of landscape architecture from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment in 1978. Schwartz began her career at The SWA Group in Boston, and in 1983 she and Peter Walker, her husband at the time, opened The Office of Peter Walker & Martha Schwartz. Since 1992 she has been a principal of Martha Schwartz Partners, with offices in London, Shanghai, and New York. Schwartz is also a tenured Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Schwartz envisions landscape architecture as the leading profession to face the challenges of climate change. She is a founding member of the Working Group of Sustainable Cities at the Harvard University Center for the Environment, a founding member of the Landscape Architecture Foundation ‘s “Working Group on Climate Change”, and has recently founded MAYDAY.Earth, a not-for-profit organization that focuses on educating non-scientists and generalists about geoengineering and global-scale solutions. Known for blending landscape architecture and fine art, some of her most notable works include the Bagel Garden and Whitehead Institite ‘Splice Garden’ in Boston, MA; Rio Shopping Center in Atlanta, GA; Jacob Javits Plaza in New York, NY, and Grand Canal Square in Dublin, Ireland. Martha Schwartz Partners’ practice focuses on art installations, civic spaces, parks, institutional landscapes, and master plans nationally and internationally. In 2020 Schwartz was awarded the ASLA Design Medal. Résumé Principal, Martha Schwartz, Incorporated, Firm #1, New York, NY, 1982-1986. Partner, Office of Peter Walker/Martha Schwartz, Incorporated, New York, NY and San Francisco, CA; dating for this firm varies, some saying that it was begun 1983, others 1986. Principal, Martha Schwartz, Ken Smith, David Meyer, Landscape Architects, San Francisco, CA, 1990-1992. Principal, Martha Schwartz, Incorporated, Firm #2, Cambridge, MA, 1992-present; Schwartz subsequently opened a London, UK, office; in this firm, Schwartz partnered with Evelyn Bergaila. This last firm is also known as "Martha Schwartz Partners." Senior Partner, Martha Schwartz Partners, New York, NY, 08/2019- . Teaching Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture, Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA, 1992-present. Visiting Residency, Radcliffe College, Cambridge, MA. Visiting Residency, American Academy, Rome, Italy, 1993. Co-facilitator, Summer academy, HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil, with Peter Walker, Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland, 07/31/1994-08/05/1994. Professional Activities Member, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Fellow, American Design Forum, New York, NY. Registered Landscape Architect (RLA). in 2010, Schwartz was a Registered Landscape Architect in the States of TX, OH, CA, RI, NY and IL. Recipient, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant, 1983 and 1984. Speaker, University of Michigan, 2011 JJR Lecture, "'The Softer Side of Sustainability--The Role of the Urban Landscape in Sustainability," Ann Arbor, MI, 09/27/2011. Speaker, Architectural Association, School of Architecture, “Defining Context: The Work of Martha Schwartz Partners,” London, England, 09/29/2015. Speaker, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, “Landscape Lectures: Martha Schwartz,” Boston, MA, 09/22/2015. Speaker, University of Southern California, School of Architecture, "Beyond Practice," Los Angeles, CA, 11/16/2016. Speaker, University of Calgary, Schoo American landscape architect and educator Martha Schwartz (born November 21, 1950) is an American landscape architect and educator. Schwartz is the founding principal of Martha Schwartz Partners, a landscape architecture firm based in London, New York City, and Shanghai. She was for a time Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Born in Philadelphia to noted architect Milton Schwartz and his first wife Stella Wasserman. Schwartz received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan in 1973. After undertaking graduate studies at Michigan, she spent time at the Graduate School of Design but returned to Michigan to receive her Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture in 1977. During a summer internship at SWA Group, Schwartz advanced her interest in landscape architecture beginning a relationship with her future husband Peter Walker . Her career was launched in 1979 by her first project, The Bagel Garden, a decorative response to her front yard in Boston. In 1980, Schwartz began her own landscape architecture firm, Martha Schwartz Partners, intending to challenge the traditional ideals in the field of landscape architecture, and further investigate the connections between the arts, culture, and landscape. She was formerly Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University. She was also a resident of the American Academy in Rome in 1993. In 1979, Schwartz married her mentor, noted landscape architect Peter Walker, the couple divorced in 2000. They had two sons. Martha Schwartz
Martha Schwartz
Career
Personal life
Notable works