The Bagel Garden, a decorative installation executed in a Boston front yard in 1979, served as the catalyst for the career of Philadelphia-born landscape architect Martha Schwartz. This initial project established a trajectory focused on challenging the prevailing conventions of landscape design by integrating elements of sculpture, fine art, and contemporary cultural expression into urban environments.
Academic Foundation
Born in 1950, Schwartz pursued studies at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design in 1973. Although she attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design for graduate work, she returned to Michigan to complete her master's degree in landscape architecture in 1977. Her exposure to professional practice began with an internship at the SWA Group.
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In 1980, she established her own firm, Martha Schwartz Partners. The practice grew to maintain offices in London, New York City, and Shanghai, with a mandate to explore the intersections of art, culture, and landscape. Beyond her private practice, Schwartz served as a Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She was a resident of the American Academy in Rome in 1993 and received the Rome Prize.
Notable Projects
Her portfolio includes significant urban interventions across the United States and abroad. Early projects include the 1986 Splice Garden at the Whitehead Institute in Cambridge, the 1987 plaza at the King County Courthouse in Seattle, and the 1988 Rio Shopping Center in Atlanta. Her international work features the 2008 Grand Canal Square Plaza at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Philadelphia
- Education: University of Michigan, Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Firm: Martha Schwartz Partners
- Key Award: Rome Prize
- Notable Project: Bagel Garden (1979)
- Professional Titles: Architect, Sculptor, Landscape Architect, Educator
Questions readers ask
Where did Martha Schwartz practice landscape architecture?
She established Martha Schwartz Partners with offices in London, New York City, and Shanghai.
What was the significance of the 1979 Bagel Garden?
It was her first landscape architecture project and served as the starting point of her career.
Achievements
- Rome Prize
- Trained at Harvard Graduate School of Design and University of Michigan
