Great interview , Craig. Thanks for sharing this.
I was partcularly struck by the notion of ‘hypernature’ (can’t recall the term Urbanski uses) as a design language which communicates natural circumstances in an urban context. I can see this process in a lot of MVVA’s work and appreciate the seemingly fundamental application of basic landscape materials in complex urban settings–unpretentious yet refined. I think what makes MVVA’s work so convincing is their careful attention to scale and experience without letting a specific pattern develop arbitrarily. For example, in recreating the synthetic version of an adirondak mountainside in Teardrop Park it’s evident to me that the designer prioritized the scale and experience of the a simple granite ledge. What would perhaps have become a binal rock outcropping in middle of a lawn instead evokes a sense of curiousity and exploration. Another point I would mention is the playfulness of their work. So much design today feels like an exhibition of public space rather than good space in and of itself, whereas a lot of the MVVA work appears to be intended to be touched, climbed on, and pondered.
Really insightful and thought provoking discussion. Thanks again!
.
