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James van Sweden Oral History

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James van Sweden was a leader in landscape architecture for more than 35 years.

In partnership with Wolfgang Oehme, their firm — Oehme, van Sweden & Associates — designed hundreds of public and private gardens, revolutionizing their look with the New American Garden style. In a series of interviews, van Sweden, a prodigious lecturer and author of numerous books on the elements and design of gardens, shares his philosophy about an enduring design legacy.

Oral History Framework

Video Clips are divided into three categories: BIOGRAPHY, DESIGN, and PROJECTS

Each clip is between 1 and 6 minutes long.

Interview: James van Sweden was interviewed in August 2009 by Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR at Halcyon House on the Eastern Shore, his home Ferry Cove in Sherwood, Maryland, and at the Oehme van Sweden offices and on-site at projects in Washington, D.C.

James van Sweden Oral History Transcript

Reflections: The work of the Oehme van Sweden office has touched many people in its thirty-five year history. The Cultural Landscape Foundation contacted former associates, clients and associated professionals to share their stories of working with Jim and Wolfgang.

James van Sweden Reflections

YouTube Clip Listing by Category


BIOGRAPHY 1. Memories of Michigan Recollections include growing up in Grand Rapids and formative influences of the Michigan landscape. 2. Born To Be an Architect College experiences nurtured an interest in architecture and later provided the catalyst to pursue landscape architecture. 3. Determined to See Everything Study in the Netherlands after college was an opportunity to meet mentors, travel, and study urban design. 4. The Dutch Attitude Family and early interests nurtured a desire to build gardens. 5. Starting His Own Practice Meeting Wolfgang Oehme planted the seed for a potential future partnership. 6. Business and Fun Jim and Wolfgang reflect on the enjoyment they get from working together. 7. What Makes an OvS Garden? OvS Principals Lisa Delplace, Sheila Brady, and Eric Groft talk about the elements of an Oehme van Sweden design. 8. Reflecting on Practice Reflections include favorite projects, a love of scale, and coming full circle to urban design.		DESIGN 1. Design Influences The gardens of Karl Foerster and Roberto Burle Marx create "design life-changing experiences." 2. My Love of Japan Experiences during four trips to Japan resulted in life-changing lessons in design. 3. The New American Garden See examples and learn the genesis of this new garden form. 4. Working with Light Learning about light from Dutch paintings informed van Sweden's gardens. 5. Learning about Color Learn why "all colors were good" and "we never really worried about color." 6. Giving Back Creating gardens for public housing is part of the firm's mission. 7. Building a Legacy Books and photography ensure that gardens live on and public speaking helps articulate a design philosophy.		PROJECTS 1. The Federal Reserve Board Garden This commission provided "our big break" and an opportunity to realize the first example of the New American Garden style. 2. The Nef Garden A mosaic panel by Marc Chagall called for design restraint in the planting of this garden in Washington D.C. 3. The Rosenberg Garden The dramatic features of this garden create "sculpture on the ground plane or a tapestry." 4. Nelson A. Rockefeller Park Recollections include the "wonderful collaborative spirit" of the team, and how subtle grading made the design special. 5. The World War II Memorial This "difficult project" became a signature piece and very important to the firm. 6. The Sullivan Garden The garden is a "stage set" with dramatic seasonal changes and tensions. 7. Halcyon Learn what makes this "one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever designed." 8. Ferry Cove This house and garden on a "perfect site" reflect van Sweden's interest in architecture, landscape architecture, and his Dutch heritage. 9. The Chicago Botanic Garden A painting by Helen Frankenthaler played a critical role in this design.

Production Credits and Acknowledgments

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR

DIRECTOR/EDITOR

James Sheldon

INTERVIEWER

Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR

VIDEOGRAPHER

James Sheldon

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Nancy Slade, ASLA &

Shirley Veenema

PROJECT MANAGER

Nancy Slade, ASLA

The James van Sweden Oral History Project would not have been possible without the assistance of many people. The Cultural Landscape Foundation [TCLF] would like to acknowledge and thank the following individuals and institutions who donated to this project in myriad ways.

First, thanks to our lead donors Joseph and Sylvia Slifka Foundation and Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation for providing the critical funds to videotape, edit, and produce this fifth module in TCLF’s ongoing series. In addition, thanks to the Oehme van Sweden & Associates (OvS) firm, Barbara and Tim Downs, Darwina Neal, Susan & Elihu Rose Foundation for their support. Thanks also to Arturo and Hilda Brillembourg who provided the support to unveil the project in Washington, D.C.

On the production side,thanks go to James van Sweden, who made himself available for this project without hesitation; and to Oehme van Sweden & Associates for providing TCLF access to their extensive image files. Thank you to OVS principals Eric Groft, Lisa Delplace, and Sheila Brady who helped in many ways and provided unfettered access to their office and staff. Thanks also to Steel Colony at OvS whose seamless assistance made the production process enjoyable from start to finish.

In addition to the OvS team, thanks also to Jim’s sisters Christie Kaufmann and Karyl Mangus, who provided many wonderful family images. We are grateful for the many professional photographers whose work was generously made available (courtesy of the OvS firm): Rhoda Baer Photography, Roger Foley Photography, John Neubauer Photography, and Volkmar and Wentzel (all images © the photographer).

Photographs, prints, and drawings reproduced courtesy of the following individuals and institutions:

Charles A. Birnbaum; Arturo and Hilda Brillembourg; Charles Cares; Robert Grese; Robin vd Griend; Wolfgang Oehme; Alex and Carole Rosenberg; Caroline Segui; Claire Sherman; Nancy Slade; Suman Sorg; and Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan, image bl001996, hs5024, hs5026; Marija Calden, photographer, http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/karl-foerster_garten; Grand Rapids History & Special Collections, Archives, Grand Rapids Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan; National Gallery of Art, Nature Abhors a Vacuum, 2004.129.1./PA: Frankenthaler, Helen Patron’s Permanent Fund and Gift if Audrey and David Mirvish, Toronto, Canada. Image courtesy of the Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; National Gallery of Art, Autumn Gold, 1957, Hans Hofmann, Collection of Robert and Jane Meyerhoff, http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2009/meyerhoff/meyerhoff_full.shtm, Washington, D.C.; National Gallery of Art, Woman Holding a Balance, c. 1664,Widener Collection,Johannes Vermeer, 1942.9.97,http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery//-1236.html; Telesis Corporation, Washington D.C.; Wheaton College Archives & Special Collections, Wheaton, Illinois.

James van Sweden Oral History

James van Sweden was a leader in landscape architecture for more than 35 years.

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