Perhaps best known throughout the nation for one of his works in Washington – the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, located along the Tidal Basin – Bay Area landscape architect Lawrence Halprin died on Sunday of natural causes. The FDR Memorial features one of Halprin’s boldest waterfall elements, a major feature for which his work was known. Fittingly, Halprin also believed that the well-loved FDR Memorial best represented his accomplishments. For those who have never toured the plaza, the FDR Memorial is divided into sequential landscape arenas, which represent significant stages of the President’s life using text, seats, statues, and segmented space. Though the Memorial is driven by narrative and experience, nothing is sacrificed in terms of form or composition.

The FDR Memorial will stand as a testament to the President and to its designer. Many in Washington, however, have reason to love Halprin for a work down the road: The downtown, pedestrian-only mall along the main street in Charlottesville, Virginia. The San Francisco Chronicle has an obituary that lists many of his other parks and plazas throughout the nation.

Photo by wallyg