Catherine Nagel
Philadelphia, PA (USA)
Masters of Landscape Architecture, 2003
 
My primary motivation for taking this studio stems from my interest in cultural landscapes. I am fascinated by the way humans organize the space around them and charge them with social and political values. I was particularly curious to explore the ethics of intervening in a sacred landscape by using landscape architecture design and planning strategies. What I have found most compelling about the project is the challenge of bringing attention to such an extraordinary site while addressing some very pressing social, economic, and environmental issues that might conflict with landscape protection measures.
 
The studio has made me think about ritual pathways, daily journeys, and the complicated steps we sometimes take to get from point A to point B.