Kathryn Gustafson Lecture, Auckland

The Garden Design Society of New Zealand are delighted to be bringing Kathryn Gustafson to New Zealand and partnering with the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington to give lectures in both Auckland and Wellington and masterclasses in Auckland.  

Kathryn Gustafson is an internationally acclaimed landscape architect with over 40 years of distinguished practice. As founding partner of two international offices, Gustafson Porter + Bowman in London and until recently, Gustafson Guthrie Nichol (GGN) in Seattle, Kathryn is renowned for creating distinctive sculptural landscapes which engage at a fundamental human level.

Kathryn brings a unique ability to define a project’s vision and conceives of all material as possessing organic qualities that respond to the seasons, as well as air, heat, sun and wind. Her form-making practice with terrain is all about movement and her work frames the art of landscape as a composition, combining complex elements both visible and otherwise, such as light, sound, and atmosphere. Her working method of modelling in clay enables her to create sensually pleasing and beguilingly simple landforms.

Kathryn’s work from both firms includes the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London, Old Market Square in Nottingham, the Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, Seattle City Hall Plaza, the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the landscape design for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington, DC. Kathryn’s current projects include the Eiffel Tower Site in Paris, a civic project in Senegal, and Taikoo Place in Hong Kong. These designs offer solace from the clamour of daily life as well as providing a unifying structure for the multi-layered requirements of the public realm.

Prior to establishing Gustafson Porter + Bowman in 1997, Kathryn worked in France where she was the lead landscape designer for the headquarters of Shell (1990), Esso (1992) and a model factory for L’Oréal (1993). Other significant works include the award-winning Jardins de l’Imaginaire in Terrasson la Villedieu (1995), which is classed by the French Ministry of culture as one of the most notable gardens in France. Her work at the public plaza in Evry (1991) was one of the first landscape projects worldwide to create a flexible space with water jets.

Kathryn lectures internationally and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architecture, an honorary Royal Designer for Industry member and a medallist of the French Academy of Architecture. She is the recipient of the Architects’ Journal Jane Drew Prize 1998, the 2001 Chrysler Design Award, the 2008 ASLA Design Medal, the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize for Architecture 2012 and the 8th Obayashi Prize, Japan in 2014. In 2011, Kathryn and her GGN partners received the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Architecture, in 2019 she was given the Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award by the IFLA and in 2021 she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Notable architects collaborated with:

Renazca, Madrid, Spain – Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Taikoo Place, Hong Kong – Hugh Dutton Associates / Wong & Ouyang

Rathbone Place, London, UK – MAKE

Marina One, Singapore - Ingenhoven Architects

Museumpark Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands – OMA, MVRDV

National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Wales – Foster + Partners

Robert And Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum And National Portrait Gallery (GGN project), Washington DC, USA  – Foster + Partners

Museum of Art, Boston, USA (GGN project) - Foster + Partners

Gree Sijing, Shanghai, China – RSHP

Sydney Bangaroo Waterfront, Sydney, Australia (GGN Project) - RSHP

UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre, London, UK – Adjaye Associates

National Museum of African American History and Culture (GGN project) - Adjaye Associates

Sydney Modern Project - Expansion of the Art Gallery of New South Wales (GGN project) – SANAA

Osaka Park  (GGN project) – SANAA

Notable projects include: Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, the Cultuurpark Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, Seattle City Hall Plaza, the Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the landscape design for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington, DC. 

Kathryn’s current projects include; Site Tour Eiffel in Paris, a civic project in Senegal, Valencia Parque Central, Rhine Terrace at the Novartis Campus in Basel, Marina One in Singapore, and Taikoo Place in Hong Kong.

Lecture (Auckland) – Tuesday 27th February,  6:00 for 6.45pm – 9.30pm. 

Room 421E-311, Architecture Level 3 Exhibition Space, University of Auckland, 26 Symonds Street, Auckland Central 1010

Lecture: Crossing Connections and Breaking Boundaries

In this lecture, Kathryn Gustafson will explore how Landscape Architecture transcends conventional professional boundaries, serving as a pivotal force when designing and building amid global environmental concerns. By integrating principles of ecology, urban planning, architecture, art, engineering and design, landscape architects are able to influence and implement sustainable solutions that harmonize human needs with ecological imperatives, whilst always bringing a sense of joy. From green infrastructure to biodiversity conservation, this interdisciplinary approach fosters resilient and vibrant environments. Through case studies and insights from a life in practice, Kathryn will uncover the transformative potential of landscape architecture as the linchpin for forging a sustainable future amidst the complex challenges of urbanization and climate change.

Kathryn's talk will be followed by a Q&A. We will be recording Kathryn's lecture so you will be able to watch the livestream if you can't make it in person. Purchase a ticket to watch the livestream from this website. In person paid tickets will include one complimentary beverage token to be used before or after the lecture, a light supper after the lecture in the foyer, a cash bar open until 9.30pm and a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends and colleagues.

CPD points available: 10 NZRAB CPD Points, 15 GDSNZ CPD Points, 1.0 NZILA CPD Points per hour

Running order:

6pm | Doors open, cash bar (Foyer of Faculty of Engineering Foyer 401-439, 22 Symonds Street)

6:40pm | Audience to be seated for mihi whakateau, welcome, introductions

7pm | Lecture, Q&A

8:30pm | Supper in foyer, cash bar

9:30pm | Evening ends

Lecture: School of Architecture & Planning, University of Auckland, Room 421E-311, Archutecture Level 3 Exhibition Space, 24 Symonds Street, Auckland Central.

Drinks/supper: Foyer of Faculty of Engineering Lecture Theatre 401-439, 22 Symonds Street. Look for the large red neon wall art!

Tickets available now via GDSNZ website to attend the lecture in person or watch online.  Students and staff of University of Auckland can attend for FREE but please register in advance to attend due to our liquor licensing rules. Discount codes available to GDSNZ financial members and NZILA / NZIA / RML and affiliated organisations. Tickets also available now for an afternoon of Masterclasses with Kathryn in Auckland on Thursday 29th February, 2024. Register here. Wellington Lecture, 6pm Thursday 7th March. Tickets on sale now.