Interview with Jennifer Birkeland, Landscape Architect at West 8
Exterior shades are a significant consideration for the Landscape Architect. In order to learn more about this specialized discipline, I interviewed Jennifer Birkeland of West 8. West 8 is an award-winning international office for urban design and landscape architecture founded in 1987. Over the last 28 years West 8 has established itself as a leading practice with an international team of 70 architects, urban designers, landscape architects and industrial engineers. West 8 developed projects all over the world in places such as Copenhagen, London, Moscow, New York, Madrid, Toronto and Amsterdam.
NG: Who is West 8 and what is your role?
JB: West 8 is an international award winning multi-disciplinary design firm with offices in Rotterdam, New York, and Brussels. I am currently a project manager in the New York office.
NG: What are some of West 8’s most recognized projects?
JB: West 8 has a wide range of projects completed around the world. Each project has its own approach and identity. Some of our award winning projects includes, the redevelopment of Toronto’s Central Waterfront, New York’s Governors Island, Madrid RIO, Schouwburgplein in Rotterdam, and Miami Beach’s Soundscape Park.
NG: How does West 8 incorporate engineered shading solutions into their designs?
LB: Providing shade is often a crucial requirement in landscape architecture. From plants to engineered solutions, we often critically analyze the site restraints and the program requirements to identify where including shade is most appropriate for the design.
NG: Are there any projects in the planning stages that will incorporate Exterior Solar Shades?
JB: Currently we are working on the design for the future Houston Botanical Gardens. It is a multi-acre project embedded with specific requirements and an extensive landscape and building program. The spaces require a high level of flexibility and shade is necessary in such a subtropical climate.
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