Celebrating 25 Years of "Perfectly Imperfect" Design
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For nearly three decades, we've embraced the philosophy of "Perfectly Imperfect," recognizing that nature's beauty lies in its imperfections. This approach infuses soul into our projects, creating places for our community.
“The Beauty in Nature is in its imperfection”
By David McCullough, PLA, ASLA, Principal Landscape Architect
I have been accused of being a "dreamer," and while I recognize all that's working well in the world today, and what society has built for over thousands of years, I believe a shift has occurred I'd like to bring to point.
In a black and white world, the "haves“, or people with abundant means, live in a seemingly soul-less world - devoid of meaning, purpose, love, excitement...sterile and cold. This is a result of an endless pursuit of perfection, one that is simply not attainable and corruptive and is in fact, soul crushing.
Then there are the "have nots“, or those without means. Here, basic human needs are not being met, the public infrastructure is in shambles, and for the most part, chaos rules life. However, in this space people rely on their relationships, soul is vibrant, love and family are strong. Personal character and a meaningful life drive people and decisions.
I believe the real world is shades of grey and through a societal paradigm shift we need to return to an equilibrium where we give up on the pursuit of perfection and start to focus on humanity’s shared goal for a better existence (better, but by no means perfect), celebrate the imperfect; celebrate "soul", life, each other, love, and of course, the beauty in the natural world, of which we truly are and belong to.
侘び寂び
In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi (侘び寂び) is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of appreciating beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" in nature. It is prevalent in many forms of Japanese art. As it happens to be, this is not a new concept, it dates back to the 1400s. However, in Western societies, this has been glossed over by what we believe to be right: a perfect world where artists, authors, planners, lawyers, politicians, and most professionals sacrifice a true sense of reality for a relentless pursuit of the unattainable - perfection.
This relentless pursuit is not new either. In garden design, the French created Versailles, a spectacular garden no doubt. But the resources necessary for ongoing upkeep is beyond precedent, with annual maintenance and upkeep expenses (for the grounds in whole) at roughly $16 million per year. Nazi Germany attempted to make “the perfect race,” at the expense of over 20 million lives. In Brazil, they attempted a perfect new capitol city, Brasilia. Brasilia today has proven to be a monumental failure due to Euclidean Zoning. This is where planners and policy makers across the world have attempted to organize the built environment into perfectly crafted organizational units, only allowing for one kind of land use per zone.
As a result, today we get in our cars to drive from home, to work, to our social engagements. In California, our litigious legal system pushes us towards perfect sidewalks, streets, and the general public right of way. As a result, cars, bicycles, and pedestrians do not interact, they move faster without paying attention. But when they do, the accidents are often fatal. We have become so accustomed to near perfect sidewalks we have forgotten to watch where we walk. When we trip, it’s someone else’s fault and a lawsuit is often filed for damages. It reminds one of Autopia at Disneyland. When things go wrong road rage often ensues.
What’s Next?
A paradigm shift is in order for the way we think and approach life as authors of the built environment - through the role of architect, landscape architect, planner, etc. The perfectly imperfect balance in nature as one example, in just about every way, is clearly out of balance. Perhaps we need to recognize this, draw inspiration from our natural world, accept this as a reality, and see where we as collective humans have come.
As a landscape architect, this draws incredibly close to my day-to-day world. Trees will grow, and sometime shed leaves. This is a reality and if that creates extra work, it’s well worth it for the beautiful process unveiling. Concrete cracks are inevitable, so why not embrace it not as damaged concrete but as natural patterning and inherent quality of the material? Glass breaks, and rather than seeing it as damaged glass, what about the incredible patterns it creates? Steel rusts, and rather than old damaged steel, what about the beautiful colors all metals create when they age and patina? Kids skateboard on our walls, curbs, sidewalks, and handrails. Rather than a public nuisance, let’s recognize these kids are enjoying one of the best aspects of their social experience. In some cases, why not even design space to accommodate them beyond the traditional skate park, as apposed to placing deterrents (which typically kids will defy)?
All things age and go in and out of style. Rather than promptly replace them, why not repair and adapt them to the new fashion? After all, what one demolishes can never be completely replaced and it’s almost impossible to replicate age or it’s quickly seen as a “fake.” Disneyland perhaps does the best at mimicking age and history. But I think all agree, even the best human attempts fall short. The Bilbao in Spain (Frank Gehry) vs. Soho in Manhattan. South Park, San Diego vs. Seaside, Florida (Andrés Duany). Barcelona, Spain vs. Brasilia, Brazil (Oscar Niemeyer).
Humanity is at its best when we work together. The collective evolution of many people is infinitely a better, healthier place than the singular vision of the human ego.
The Pursuit of Perfection.
“Some beautiful things are more dazzling when they are still imperfect than when they have been too perfectly crafted.”
François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld
Imperfect.
Comparisons.
A paradigm shift is in order…With Grit, Soul, and style
