Five Minutes with Andy Knight

We sat down with Principal Landscape Architect and Urban Designer, Andy Knight to learn more about his approach to design.

You’ve been a strong advocate for process and memorable design here at MKSK. How did you develop this passion, and how has it changed over time?

Like many people in the industry I assume, planning and design was not on my early radar as a passion. Like a lot of youth, I was either going to be a doctor, lawyer, firefighter, or maybe a professional athlete. – basically, the occupations that I observed on TV or discussed with my friends at the lunch table. While I did have a desire to make an impact on the world to some degree, I wasn’t aware of the profession of Landscape Architecture until midway through my college career at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Over the course of a couple of years at UT I had taken a few art classes, and I noticed that I had a fascination with pattern recognition and the iterative process of making art…which initially translated into exhilarating experiences as a musician/ drummer. I also had an interest in Architecture, but as a pole vaulter for the UT track and field team with limited time available to devote to studying Architecture, I serendipitously discovered landscape design through the College of Agriculture…which I fell in love with after the first few lectures and studios.

I’ll admit that my first several years of learning to be a designer were primarily driven by form and geometry, almost purely motivated by the making of art and less about the impact on ecology, society, economy, etc. I thought I already knew all the answers, but in retrospect I didn’t realize what the questions were at that time. It wasn’t until I was in graduate school at The Ohio State University that I was exposed to a more meaningful and informed process of investigating and making…asking the probing questions and exploring the many interpretations and iterations waiting be discovered below the surface. I became obsessed with the process of design, consuming literature and inspiration from Rem Koolaas at OMA, Enric Miralles at EMBT, James Corner at Field Operations, as well as countless others.

In many ways I’m still a very inquisitive person, and I’m always interested in improving our planning and design processes and learning from what others are doing in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, as well as the myriads of collaborators that we engage on a regular basis outside of the traditional design profession. The fundamental process of planning and design hasn’t changed in my experience, but it’s become much wider and deeper, and it’s more responsive to society, culture, ecology, economy, etc. It’s an exciting time to be in the design profession, and as Landscape Architects, we are at the forefront of many of the pressing issues shaping our cities today. Let’s keep asking the questions and embracing the process journey of learning, exploring, and creating.

What projects have you participated in that embody that meaningful and informed process?

In my experience, each project is a one-off with its own set of circumstances and challenges. From urban parks and plazas to district scale planning and design, each client and community has their own expectations or motivations for their specific project. Where can we insert ourselves and provide the best value to those projects and for those clients? At the scale of the urban plaza/park I’ve had the privilege to join design teams for the Centennial Commons Park in Royal Oak, MI, Lawrenceburg Civic Park in Lawrenceburg, IN, and the Van Andel Arena Plaza and Alley in Grand Rapids, MI. All of which followed a design process led by discovery and exploration. I’ve also been involved in several master planning efforts including the 22-acre Waterfront Park Phase 4 in Louisville, KY and more recently the 72-acre Riverfront Park in Bowling Green, KY.

Over my 20 plus years as a Landscape Architect I’ve had the fortune of working with great teams, great clients, and great communities. It’s really the collective effort and ability to collaborate as a team that drives strong planning and design outcomes in my experience. Of the projects I noted above, not one can I point to a specific design gesture or author, but an inquisitive team and faith in a process that continues to evolve and get better with each project.

Centennial Commons Park, Royal Oak, MI

Lawrenceburg Civic Park, Lawrenceburg, IN

Van Andel Arena Plaza, Grand Rapids, MI

As a Design Principal, Andy Knight’s work collectively includes public realm revitalization initiatives, dynamic and productive landscapes, and vibrant public spaces that promote a diversity of social uses and cultural traditions. Andy has also served as teacher in Landscape Architecture programs at The Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky.