Cities are complex human creations that embody the values and aspirations of the societies that build them. As they adapt and evolve over time, cities develop specific models for growth in response to their historical circumstances and the physical characteristics of their locations. “Landscape city” is the model that defined the urban DNA of cities founded in the westward expansion of the United States. Unlike their European counterparts—which grew based on the “compact city” model—these towns were never confined by walls; they were always open. As America became an aspirational place to live within nature, cities gradually expanded outward, blurring into the surrounding landscape.
Austin has always been and fundamentally remains a landscape city; it was planned from scratch on an open grid in 1839, with people living in single-family houses. As the city grew, former “suburbs” became part of the “city center,” and the expansion continued. The integration of the urban fabric with nature has been essential both to Austin’s evolution and its enduring appeal. Austin’s goal for the 21st century is to preserve the landscape city model that has defined its urban trajectory while strategically incorporating the beneficial aspects of the compact city model: pedestrian streets, dense and diverse housing, and access to a range of cultural and social spaces.
“The Landscape City” is a traveling exhibition that presents the work of Miró Rivera Architects within the given context in Austin. In three thematic areas—trees, water, people—we present projects that demonstrate how the interactions between city, nature, and architecture influence spaces for living and working. For us, this is the primary goal: to create both private places and public spaces for people to spend time and come together. Our exhibition invites individuals and communities around the world to evaluate their relationship with the natural environment using examples of residential, commercial, and institutional projects drawn from our portfolio of work in and around Austin, Texas.
