Book Review: Melbourne, S. Refining Nature: The Landscape Architecture of Peter Walker, 2nd ed.; Birkhäuser: Basel, Switzerland, 2022; ISBN: 978-3-0356-2548-6

Abstract

Throughout the historical development of built landscape design, the process of creating and shaping landscape structures has demanded extensive expertise, creativity, and a profound comprehension of landscape design history. It necessitates practical experience on-site, which every designer and design firm should strive to accumulate over their professional careers. Refining Nature: The Landscape Architecture of Peter Walker is written by Scott Melbourne, an accomplished designer, educator, and the founding principal of MxM Landscape Architecture in Seattle, USA. In this publication, Scott Melbourne introduces and celebrates the remarkable skills and contributions of Peter Walker, one of the industry’s most esteemed design practitioners. Peter Walker, a highly acclaimed figure in the field, has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Honour award from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Harvard’s centennial Medal, the University of Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson Medal, and the Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Gold Medal from the international Federation of landscape architects. Throughout his career, he has assumed diverse roles as a teacher, mentor, and collaborator, working closely with some of the industry’s most renowned professionals. The author of this book skillfully explores the distinctive qualities of Peter Walker’s design works, which seamlessly blend originality with a strong connection to the surrounding environment, contemporary culture, and the traditions of landscape architecture. Walker’s landscapes emerge from the innate human desire to shape ideas through design, transforming them into tangible entities that endure and can be experienced and appreciated by all. His profound influence in the field of landscape architecture is unquestionable, evident in the remarkable body of built work worldwide. Moreover, this publication contributes to the essential knowledge base for the present and future of landscape architecture.