Q&A w/ Carrie Rybczynski
Transforming industrialized places into community spaces.
Decades of urbanization have altered our living environments, often to our detriment. As we address urban mis-planning, projects aim to transform blighted areas into healthy, socially productive spaces. Landscape Architect Carrie Rybczynski discusses her team’s approach to redesigning spaces marred by centuries of industrialization, fostering community connection and growth.
What is one of the biggest challenges you face in transforming urban centers with over two centuries of industrialization and high-density housing development into open spaces that evoke the feeling of nature?
While these types of projects bring about positive transformations, the procedural complexity involved makes them time-consuming, often spanning several years from inception to realization.
The extended timelines not only incur substantial costs but can also be a source of frustration for both the community and design team. This extensive investment of time, energy, and resources in the process sometimes limits the financial resources available for creating that little bit of respite many urban dwellers seek.
Over the past decade, the importance of building community has accelerated in the public consciousness. A goal that is often cited in urban development is to create a space that either strengthens existing communities or a space where they can be built from the ground up. How do you incorporate the values of building communities in the spaces you design?
Every project carries varied histories related to the location and its people. We leverage these histories as a starting point for our conversations. We ask lots of questions, actively listening, documenting, and distilling what we hear.
Through these dialogues, we get to know the identity and programming that the designed space should include. It is essential to avoid assuming that a design that works for one group will work for the next.Â
One place may desire an energetic space where children can run and play while parents connect with each other on the sidelines, while another project may seek a tranquil environment for reflection and quiet conversation.
Can you walk us through the process of how you find inspiration in the developed industrialized landscapes you build upon to influence your choice in transforming into an open space?
Our process begins by researching and analyzing the existing site. Understanding the historical, cultural, environmental, and built context of the place is crucial to our creative process. This research often reveals historical narratives, environmental elements, or physical constraints that shape and integrate with the programmatic needs during the design process.
At the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, our task was to design an entry plaza with seating for visitors, both local and from afar. The site holds historical importance as the U.S. Army San Francisco Port of Embarkation, a key military site during World War II in Southeast Asia.
Our vision for the new entry plaza aimed not only to provide a flexible space for people to sit and enjoy a coffee but also to unveil the stories of the men and women who served our country at this historic location. To achieve this, we delved into old photos and written histories, extracting ideas that profoundly influenced various design elements.
Remaining true to historical authenticity, the overall materials maintain a pragmatic and understated quality. The result will be a space that not only serves its functional purpose but also serves as a tribute to the rich history of the site and the individuals who were part of it.
How do you determine the success of a project based on community use and experience?
Just as each project is unique so is each person who experiences the places we create. So, I am not sure it’s for us to determine how folks should feel or use a space. But generally, I think a measure of success is creating a place that is inclusive, can be maintained over time, and upholds the project goals we co-created with the community it serves.
What’s one tool, lesson, philosophy, you think every creative person should have?
Collaboration is essential. Whether with colleagues in the studio, the community you are designing for, or government agencies you’re seeking approvals from, it's a collective effort. Patience, curiosity, listening, and embracing challenges are key to the journey.