The revolutionary design of Thomas Church's 1947 Donnell Garden in Sonoma County epitomized the outdoor life that defined California at mid-century. This tour will provide the rare opportunity to visit the garden and see its kidney-shaped pool (and swim-through sculpture!) that has become an icon of modernist landscape design. In addition we will visit nearby Cornerstone Gardens—a “gallery” of contemporary landscape installations designed by a host of internationally renowned landscape architects. Come find inspiration in this combination of past, present and future perspectives on garden design!
Credit: Marc Treib
Learning Outcomes:
Gain understanding of a critical work of modernist space and formal vocabulary through firsthand experience.
Learn about the cultural context of residential landscape design in California during the mid-twentieth century.
Learn about the work and contributions of key figures in the history of the California garden movement.
Gain a fresh perspective on landscape architecture as an art form by observing both historical and contemporary built works.
