Michael Robert Van Valkenburgh
(born September 5, 1951) Michael Robert Van Valkenburgh is an American landscape architect and educator. He was born on September 5th, 1951 and grew up in Lexington, New York on his family owned dairy farm. In 1973, Valkenburgh received a bachelor of science from the College of Agriculture at Cornell University. He then continued to study photography at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston from 1974-1975. It is not until 1977 when Valkenburgh earned his Masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the College of Fine Arts at the University of Illinois. From this point on Valkenburgh had the privilege of working on a variety of projects in countries around the world, projects that pertain to private gardens to urban master plans. He completed his works in only two different firms. The first Landscape architecture firm he had worked under was Carr Lynch Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts from 1979 until 1982. At this point in his career he founded his own Landscape Architecture firm, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc. |
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK
Brooklyn, NY (2003–Ongoing)
About the space
I extends 1.3 miles along the shore of the East River, from Jay Street to Atlantic Avenue. The majority of the site has a history of bulk cargo shipping and storage. The existing structures were constructed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the 1950s, but have been abandoned since 1983 and cut off from the surrounding residential district. The project at hand includes six piers and several upland warehouse buildings. The north end of the site is the area under and between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and was an underutilized landscape surrounded by light industrial and loft complexes. When completed the Brooklyn Bridge Park will transform this stretch of post-industrial waterfront into a thriving 85-acre landscape. Careful attention to the site’s history and its extraordinary built and natural features ensures that this transformation creates an urban destination that is dynamic and engaging for generations to come.
I extends 1.3 miles along the shore of the East River, from Jay Street to Atlantic Avenue. The majority of the site has a history of bulk cargo shipping and storage. The existing structures were constructed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the 1950s, but have been abandoned since 1983 and cut off from the surrounding residential district. The project at hand includes six piers and several upland warehouse buildings. The north end of the site is the area under and between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, and was an underutilized landscape surrounded by light industrial and loft complexes. When completed the Brooklyn Bridge Park will transform this stretch of post-industrial waterfront into a thriving 85-acre landscape. Careful attention to the site’s history and its extraordinary built and natural features ensures that this transformation creates an urban destination that is dynamic and engaging for generations to come.
Tear Drop Park
New York, NY (1999–2006)
About the space
Teardrop Park is a 1.8-acre public park in lower Manhattan. In the construction of teardrop park sustainability was not only a small part of the project, but a forming principle that influenced the entire project. The projects small size, shady environment, bold topography, and complex irregular space created a challenging project for Van Valkenburgh to accomplish. To add another challenging aspect, the design and construction of teardrop park had to coordinate with the development of four surrounding apartment buildings, each ranging from 210 feet to 235 feet in height. With this project it was clear that Valkenburgh has a better grip on his abilities and has gained a great amount of experience. Not to mention Teardrop Park received a 2009 ASLA Design Honor Award.
Teardrop Park is a 1.8-acre public park in lower Manhattan. In the construction of teardrop park sustainability was not only a small part of the project, but a forming principle that influenced the entire project. The projects small size, shady environment, bold topography, and complex irregular space created a challenging project for Van Valkenburgh to accomplish. To add another challenging aspect, the design and construction of teardrop park had to coordinate with the development of four surrounding apartment buildings, each ranging from 210 feet to 235 feet in height. With this project it was clear that Valkenburgh has a better grip on his abilities and has gained a great amount of experience. Not to mention Teardrop Park received a 2009 ASLA Design Honor Award.
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
New York, NY (1997)
About the space
This project was taken on by Valkenburgh early on in his own firm in 1997. The proposed design for the American Museum of Natural History courtyard is focused on the idea of simplicity and pure forms. The space provides a representation of the relationship between nature and the construction of mankind. Over all this project is very unique and beautiful in its design. However, being early in his career, it is not a clear representation of what Valkenburgh can truly achieve.
This project was taken on by Valkenburgh early on in his own firm in 1997. The proposed design for the American Museum of Natural History courtyard is focused on the idea of simplicity and pure forms. The space provides a representation of the relationship between nature and the construction of mankind. Over all this project is very unique and beautiful in its design. However, being early in his career, it is not a clear representation of what Valkenburgh can truly achieve.