Gustafson Porter + Bowman Transform Global Landmarks Through Patient Landscape Design

Landscape architecture firm Gustafson Porter + Bowman is undertaking a significant redesign of the Eiffel Tower's monumental area in Paris. The project, described as complex and political by co-founder Kathryn Gustafson, aims to create a space for public enjoyment rather than just tourism. The design incorporates two hundred new trees, lawns, and terraces along pedestrian pathways. Founded in 1997 by American landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson and English architect Neil Porter, with Mary Bowman joining in 2002, the London-based studio specializes in transforming congested or historically layered sites into vibrant public spaces. Their approach combines simplicity, clarity, and contextual respect, as seen in projects like Milan's CityLife park and London's Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Recent work includes Taikoo Place park in Hong Kong's business district, which integrates historical port elements with green terraces, native trees, and water features. Gustafson notes that major projects typically require five to ten years to complete, emphasizing patience as a core principle. Other notable projects include ConfEx Park in Thessaloniki, Parque Central in Valencia (transforming a former railway area into an 11-hectare Mediterranean park), and Rotterdam's Museumpark, which connects museums while hosting cultural events. The firm's philosophy centers on creating connections between people, nature, and history through thoughtful landscape design.