Born during the Great Depression in 1932, Peter Walker was a child that was raised in Pasadena, California; although Peter relocated to Berkeley, California to live with his mother and step father after his biological father passed away. [1] Peter had a very close bond with his grandparents, especially after his father’s passing. He would often take the train to visit them in Southern California and these experiences are what first impacted Peter Walker and allowed him to have a highly detailed vision of agricultural landscapes. 2
As Peter Walker grew older, his adaptable mindset for knowledge grew with him. Walker successfully graduated from Berkeley High School and decided to further his education at the University of California. This is where he not only studied landscape architecture but also agriculture that was surrounded by sub topics such as plants, soils, and nature. 3 This is where Walker grasped the concept of how agriculture coincides with nature and how he can use his landscape architecture background to delve deeper into design concepts that associate with his knowledge of agriculture in order to create a greener future.
Once Peter Walker found his area of interest that empowered his designs, he took off with it. In 1954, Walker decided to work in the office of Lawrence Halprin & Associates and after graduating college in 1956, he then traveled to the University of Illinois to be a teaching assistant to Stanley White. 4 This gave Walker the background experience he needed to then pursue a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture. In 1957 he received his M.L.A. from the Harvard Graduate School of Design where he even won the Jacob Weidenmann Prize. 5
While he was attending Harvard, Walker’s main focus of study was urban housing which reflected the New Town movement which reconstructed towns after World War II. Walker worked with Hideo Sasaki to create an office that would create resolutions for the post World War II effect.6 Over the next several years, this office is where Walker remained to create various large-scale projects all over the United States that would be highly looked at and admired.
After working with Sasaki for 20 years, in 1976 Peter Walker decided to renew his association with Harvard and revive the departments focus on design.7 First Walker decided to serve as director of the Urban Design Program and then from 1978 to 1981 he became chairman of the Landscape Architecture Department. Finally, in 1982 he served as the Charles Elliot Chair which is when he spent his time overlooking the work of Carl Andre and Donald Judd which focused on the correlation between contemporary art and landscape design.8
As a result of his past years strictly being dedicated to research and education, Walker decided to create a new office. This was the beginning of Peter Walker truly becoming independent, pertaining to starting a firm, and creating a workspace that defines his passion and his main focus point when it comes to design. The office at first was partnered with his wife at the time, Martha Schwartz, which took place from 1983 to 1989 and was called, “The Office of Peter Walker Martha Schwartz.”9 During this time, Walker and Schwartz culminated experimental projects that focused highly on urbanization. An example of a project that they designed together is the 190 Marlborough Street Rough Garden.10 This firm was shortly changed when Peter made the move back to California to create his more independently named firm now known as, PWP Landscape Architecture.11
The PWP Landscape Architecture firm, formally known as Peter Walker and Partners, was officially formed in 1983. The main focal point of this new firm was to execute site planning by emphasizing artistic expression when it comes to projects that are large and complex. 12 Alongside Walker, a man by the name of Douglas Findlay decided to join the team as a managing partner.13 Findlay has remained a key ally in the workforce for Walker ever since.
The Projects
One of Peter Walker’s first outstanding projects that the PWP Landscape Architecture firm created was for Harvard University. In 1989, Walker and his team created an award winning fountain for the University that consisted of 159 granite boulders that were salvaged from regional farms.14 The boulders were utilized to create a 60-foot-diameter that overlapped the existing pavement, trees, and grass. The final touch was to add 32 nozzles that were located in the center of the circle that emitted water and a mist effect during three of the seasons while in winter the University’s heating plant creates a fog that surrounds the fountain.15 The fountain is a very intriguing place that invites people of all ages to enjoy various activities.
As Peter Walker grew older, his adaptable mindset for knowledge grew with him. Walker successfully graduated from Berkeley High School and decided to further his education at the University of California. This is where he not only studied landscape architecture but also agriculture that was surrounded by sub topics such as plants, soils, and nature. 3 This is where Walker grasped the concept of how agriculture coincides with nature and how he can use his landscape architecture background to delve deeper into design concepts that associate with his knowledge of agriculture in order to create a greener future.
Once Peter Walker found his area of interest that empowered his designs, he took off with it. In 1954, Walker decided to work in the office of Lawrence Halprin & Associates and after graduating college in 1956, he then traveled to the University of Illinois to be a teaching assistant to Stanley White. 4 This gave Walker the background experience he needed to then pursue a Masters degree in Landscape Architecture. In 1957 he received his M.L.A. from the Harvard Graduate School of Design where he even won the Jacob Weidenmann Prize. 5
While he was attending Harvard, Walker’s main focus of study was urban housing which reflected the New Town movement which reconstructed towns after World War II. Walker worked with Hideo Sasaki to create an office that would create resolutions for the post World War II effect.6 Over the next several years, this office is where Walker remained to create various large-scale projects all over the United States that would be highly looked at and admired.
After working with Sasaki for 20 years, in 1976 Peter Walker decided to renew his association with Harvard and revive the departments focus on design.7 First Walker decided to serve as director of the Urban Design Program and then from 1978 to 1981 he became chairman of the Landscape Architecture Department. Finally, in 1982 he served as the Charles Elliot Chair which is when he spent his time overlooking the work of Carl Andre and Donald Judd which focused on the correlation between contemporary art and landscape design.8
As a result of his past years strictly being dedicated to research and education, Walker decided to create a new office. This was the beginning of Peter Walker truly becoming independent, pertaining to starting a firm, and creating a workspace that defines his passion and his main focus point when it comes to design. The office at first was partnered with his wife at the time, Martha Schwartz, which took place from 1983 to 1989 and was called, “The Office of Peter Walker Martha Schwartz.”9 During this time, Walker and Schwartz culminated experimental projects that focused highly on urbanization. An example of a project that they designed together is the 190 Marlborough Street Rough Garden.10 This firm was shortly changed when Peter made the move back to California to create his more independently named firm now known as, PWP Landscape Architecture.11
The PWP Landscape Architecture firm, formally known as Peter Walker and Partners, was officially formed in 1983. The main focal point of this new firm was to execute site planning by emphasizing artistic expression when it comes to projects that are large and complex. 12 Alongside Walker, a man by the name of Douglas Findlay decided to join the team as a managing partner.13 Findlay has remained a key ally in the workforce for Walker ever since.
The Projects
One of Peter Walker’s first outstanding projects that the PWP Landscape Architecture firm created was for Harvard University. In 1989, Walker and his team created an award winning fountain for the University that consisted of 159 granite boulders that were salvaged from regional farms.14 The boulders were utilized to create a 60-foot-diameter that overlapped the existing pavement, trees, and grass. The final touch was to add 32 nozzles that were located in the center of the circle that emitted water and a mist effect during three of the seasons while in winter the University’s heating plant creates a fog that surrounds the fountain.15 The fountain is a very intriguing place that invites people of all ages to enjoy various activities.
Another project that was created by Walker’s firm took place in Berlin, Germany from 1992 to 2000. The project resulted from a 1992 design competition that requested the SONY Center plaza to be completely revamped. The plaza is 360 feet long and the project entailed taking this space and reinventing the cultural pattern by adding various shops and cafes to the plaza.16 The firm had to make sure to design the plaza to endure temperature extremes of 10 degrees and below and therefore, utilized the shade and insulation from the surrounding buildings. The design is easily maintainable and resourceful due to the use of Berlin’s steel grates and black granite cobble that act as a drain system to retain water that is then used for the soil that the trees are planted in.17 The main aspect that is featured in the design is a circular reflecting pool cantilevered over a large opening surrounded by a crescent of boxwood that is visible from multiple locations in the plaza.18
Finally, one of the PWP firm’s most recent projects is located in New York City, New York and was constructed in 2004 to 2011. This project is most definitely one of the most meaningful designs as the purpose is to commemorate the September 11th, 2001 victims. The design is located in the heart of New York City and incorporates trees acquired from the rebuilt Trade Center and two fountain-lined voids that are centered on the locations of the two destroyed twin towers.19 Walker and his project partner, Michael Arad, used full scale mock-ups to study the water performance and lighting designed by Paul Marantz for the waterfalls that align the site.20
Overall, the design is used to peacefully accommodate ceremonies of remembrance. Peter ensures the peace but creating “forest” like groves and green roofs as a form of serenity.21 The 9/11 Memorial is a revitalized urban landscape that promises peace and remembrance as soon as anyone enters the area.
Overall, the design is used to peacefully accommodate ceremonies of remembrance. Peter ensures the peace but creating “forest” like groves and green roofs as a form of serenity.21 The 9/11 Memorial is a revitalized urban landscape that promises peace and remembrance as soon as anyone enters the area.
[1] Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
5 "Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture." Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.pwpla.com/firm/partners/peter-walker.
6 Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
7 Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
8 Ibid
9 Ibid
10 Ibid
11 "Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture." Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.pwpla.com/firm/partners/peter-walker.
12 Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
13 "Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture." Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.pwpla.com/firm/partners/peter-walker.
14 "PWP Landscape Architecture." American Society of Landscape Architects. March 2, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/PWP.pdf.
15 Ibid
16 "PWP Landscape Architecture." American Society of Landscape Architects. March 2, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/PWP.pdf
17 Ibid
18 Ibid
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 "PWP Landscape Architecture." American Society of Landscape Architects. March 2, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/PWP.pdf
2 Ibid
3 Ibid
4 Ibid
5 "Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture." Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.pwpla.com/firm/partners/peter-walker.
6 Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
7 Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
8 Ibid
9 Ibid
10 Ibid
11 "Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture." Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.pwpla.com/firm/partners/peter-walker.
12 Gillette, Jane. "The Cultural Landscape Foundation." Biography of Peter Walker. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 29, 2015.
13 "Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture." Peter Walker, FASLA | PWP Landscape Architecture. Accessed November 29, 2015. http://www.pwpla.com/firm/partners/peter-walker.
14 "PWP Landscape Architecture." American Society of Landscape Architects. March 2, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/PWP.pdf.
15 Ibid
16 "PWP Landscape Architecture." American Society of Landscape Architects. March 2, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/PWP.pdf
17 Ibid
18 Ibid
19 Ibid
20 Ibid
21 "PWP Landscape Architecture." American Society of Landscape Architects. March 2, 2012. Accessed November 30, 2015. http://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/PWP.pdf