Byxbee Park. Palo Alto, CA.

Byxbee Park is a washed out, fuzzy daydream. Poles, chevrons, paths, grass, hillocks, built on top of an old landfill. That's all. It is an incredible example of the power of restraint in landscape. It is so rare, living anywhere near a city/suburb, that we are presented with intentional wide open space. Such a landscape enables thought, meditation, reflection. Very few places, in my opinion, do this as well as Byxbee. What a shame they had to put it in Palo Alto.

Landscape DO: Trees in Mexico

The style of tree planting in Mexico is like nothing I have ever seen before.  Species of all varieties are thrown chaotically into the landscape and left to their own devices.  Issues one would normally consider when placing a tree (proximity to other trees, open canopy availability, etc.) are, as far as I can tell, not considered whatsoever.  And the final product is fantastic.  Total randomness creates a dazzling, visually complex landscape with rich textured balances of light and dark, greens and browns.  In addition, the density of the vegetation makes noises from traffic recede instantly, and as you enter the park the urban clamor dissipates magically.  Muy great!