Interview with José Almiñana, Andropogon Associates
April 2009 National Building Museum Online
José Almiñana, trained as both a landscape architect and architect, will speak at the National Building Museum on Thursday, April 16, as part of the Spotlight on Design lecture series. Almiñana is a principal with Philadelphia-based Andropogon Associates, one of the leading environmental/sustainable landscape architecture firms in the United States. National Building Museum Online asked José Almiñana a few questions about the firm’s work and the increasing focus on sustainability in the landscape architecture profession.
National Building Museum (NBM) Online: Tell us how your firm’s name reflects its commitment to sustainability.
Jose Almiñana: Andropogon, a common field grass, is one of nature’s remarkable adaptations to stress and change in the landscape. Wherever the landscape has been disturbed, andropogon is one of the first field grasses to colonize the ground, providing a self-sustaining cover for the gradual return of our native forests. The economy and elegance with which these grassy meadows heal the wounded landscape aptly describes Andropogon’s goal in ecological planning and design.
NBM Online: What philosophy guides your firm’s design work?
Almiñana: Environmentally responsible design, which is grounded in a philosophy that respects and builds upon the natural and cultural character of a site, has always been at the core of the Andropogon’s practice. Our guiding principles include: evaluate solutions in terms of the larger context-every action contributes to the whole; foster the natural systems soils, air, water, plants, and wildlife-these are our life support; integrate cultural perspectives and environmental resource-people are part of ecology; and conserve resources-they are the wealth of the next generation.
NBM Online: You have been in practice for more than 30 years. What have you seen as significant changes in the approach to landscape architectural practice?
Almiñana: Thirty years ago there was only a glimmer of recognition that ecological planning and design should be the underpinning within the practice of landscape architects. In contrast to most landscape architecture firms, Andropogon’s practice was founded on the premise of expanding the boundaries of the traditional landscape architectural profession. Many of the solutions the firm initially pioneered from stormwater recharge to restoring native plant communities and habitats are now commonly accepted practices.
NBM Online: In what direction(s) and in what ways do you see the profession of landscape architecture heading over the next 25 years?
Almiñana: With the recognition of the dependency that human beings have on natural systems, landscape architects must master an interdisciplinary approach within the design profession, including the natural sciences, social sciences, and economics. Landscape architecture is in a perfect position to move the design profession from a “do no harm”/ sustainability posture to a regenerative outcome. For instance, while buildings can become more efficient in their use of resources, living landscapes have the capacity to be restorative and beyond that, actually generate resources for all life forms. Since 2006, I have been an American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) representative on the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Sites Initiative. Based on the premise that any site and its associated landscape have the capacity of providing ecosystem services, this initiative is bound to finally position the profession of landscape architecture at the leading edge of sustainability and beyond. From a practitioner perspective, I think that the Sustainable Sites Initiative has the capacity to be one of the most transcendental events of our profession.
NBM Online: How has your practice and landscape architecture in general positioned itself as the responsible stewards of the land? 
Almiñana: Andropogon has implemented the principle of "designing with nature," creating landscapes inspired by the careful observation of natural processes and informed by the best environmental science. The elegance and economy of natural form and process continues to be the benchmark by which we measure the success of our work–from the smallest construction detail to the multi-layered patterns of sites encompassing thousands of acres. Our clients often tell us that we combine integrated design with a depth of ecological understanding in synergistic ways that are rare in the profession. In essence, we continue with every project "to weave together the landscape of man and nature for the benefit of both".
NBM Online: Are there other countries approaching landscape architecture in noteworthy ways?
Almiñana: Andropogon's recent experiences in the Middle East, South East Asia, and Eastern Europe have shown us that there is an increased worldwide acknowledgment of the environmental, social, and economic benefits provided by multi-tasking landscapes. For instance, our Chinese colleagues have recognized that they must be stewards of the land to preserve the natural systems and resources that are necessary to sustain the basic needs of their expanding society–clean air, clean water, food, and energy. In Europe, many architects and landscape architects are focusing their work away from greenfields to reclaim brownfields and 'green' the urban realm. As we look to the prospects of the human population in this planet, there is no doubt in my mind that cities offer the best opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint and provide an intergenerational equity.
Register for the April 16 Spotlight on Design lecture.
Spotlight on Design is sponsored by Lafarge, the world leader in construction materials, with additional support from the American Institute of Architects.
