Today, we raise a glass to honor Margie Ruddick, noted landscape designer (though "artist" would be more apt to the genius work she does) and HuffPost Home blogger. She won the prestigious Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Design, highlighting a 25-year award-filled career. We've long been fans of Ruddick's work, for the way she thoughtfully considers the local ecology of a site and the spirit of the community around it as she designs simply gorgeous outdoor spaces. Queens Plaza Dutch Hills Green, the Shillim Institute and Retreat and the Battery Park City Recreation Park are just a few stunning examples of her public works.
Ruddick is just one of those people who makes the world a lovelier place. Here's what she had to say about her win:
HuffPost Home: How will you celebrate your win?
Ruddick: My favorite new pastimes -- buying and planting flowers and vegetables, riding my bike -- and, of course, being with my children.
HufPost Home: What words of wisdom do you have for the next generation of landscape designers?
Ruddick: If you ever feel yourself losing the passion that propelled you into this field, take a walk in the woods, but also take a walk through a gallery or museum or installation. This younger generation is so onto the plight of the planet that they may sometimes forget that our work is art, as well as ecology.
HuffPost Home: What project do you want to be most remembered for?
Ruddick: Chuang Tzu wrote that "the wise man leaves no trace," and I think that's true of landscape designers whether they like it or not. Most of our landscapes are gone within a generation. So, hopefully of more permanence, will be my forthcoming book "Wild by Design" which I hope will inspire designers and help people who are not landscape designers understand why what we do is so important, even if, as landscape designers, we are a little invisible.
Here's a glimpse of one of Ruddick's masterpieces, Casa Cabo. All photos: Scott Frances.
To see more gorgeous outdoor spaces, check out our slideshow of the best botanical gardens across the country.
Botanical Gardens
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