Trends in Urban Design, with James Corner Field Operations

Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects. Castilla speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield. Photo: Sam Oberter

Topics discussed:
• Over the years, how has urban design changed, in terms of clients’ priorities and ambitions?

• When your firm seeks input about these projects from the community, what have you been hearing lately about what people and businesses want?

• The High Line in New York City accentuates the intersection of design and function. But was that project an outlier, or is that kind of intersection becoming more common?

• One of your firm's recent projects is West End Square in Dallas, which is located on three quarters of an acre in that city's expanding Historic District. You were the Principal-in-Charge on this. Talk a bit about the park's features, how it meets municipal goals, and what makes its design unique.

• Going forward, what does your firm see as some of the bigger challenges for urban design and landscape architecture? What are some of the “must haves” now, and what are the limitations of these projects?

• Can you end our conversation with a discussion about an urban design project your firm is working on currently?