Modernist landscapes with boomerang curves, reservoirs inspired by Joan Miro paintings, animated fountains, soaring roof gardens, geometric earthworks, futuristic Fair grounds, and sunken and expansive plazas all became celebrated design elements during the nation’s massive post-World War II development.

These experimental and innovative expressions, adopted by maverick landscape architects such as Dan Kiley and Lawrence Halprin, FASLA, became a catalyst for inserting modern design sensibilities into newly minted public and private spaces.

During this period, designers, their clients, and patrons used revolutionary new and experimental materials and subdued transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces to infuse modern forms into classic sensibilities. However, until recently, many of these designs have been misunderstood and underappreciated. To draw attention to these irreplaceable works, the Cultural Landscape Foundation’s 2008 Landslide theme:  Marvels of Modernism, spotlights our diverse postwar garden and landscape heritage.

Landslide is a yearly designation of significant landscapes at risk of being lost. The designees are chosen from hundreds of  nominations submitted from  throughout the nation that highlight current issues in landscapepreservation and interpretation.

The twelve Marvels are:

· Boston City Hall Plaza, Boston

· Estates Drive Reservoir, Oakland, California

· Heritage Plaza, Heritage Park, Fort Worth, Texas

· Kaiser Roof Garden, Kaiser Center, Oakland, California

· Lake Elizabeth, Allegheny Commons, Pittsburgh

· Manhattan Square Park, Rochester, New York

· Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks, Kent, Washington

· Miller Garden, Columbus, Indiana

· El Monte, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

· Pacific Science Center Courtyard, Seattle

· Parkmerced, San Francisco

· Peavey Plaza, Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Para más información de “Las Maravillas del Modernismo” visite :

www.tclf.org