February 2010
As winner of the International Design Competition for the San Francisco civic center plaza I was presented by Henry Schubart, AIA, the competition’s professional advisor, to Larry Halprin in 1966. He loved the winning competition concept and offered me the design position in his office. I asked Larry if he would give me freedom to express my design ideas and mentioned that as film set designer for the Bulgarian State film industry, I am used to work creatively. He agreed – never bridging this promise during my 9 years stay in his office.
With Larry we had similar drive – the passionate effort to improve the urban environment. I expressed my project’s visions without interferences – Larry, nor his staff gave me design sketches or touched my clay sculpture models. I never had even a meeting with Larry to discuss design direction. It was a unique project understanding – not needing exchange of papers, tools or wordings.
At a few occasions he left on the board – Thank You Notes – about my work. In the same spirits one day an unforgettable event happened at lunch time. Walking though the office, Larry came to my desk looking at what I was modeling out of clay. Seeing my concept for Seattle’s Freeway Park he turned around and disappeared – saying nothing. I went outside for lunch. We faced each other around the block and he told me: “Angela, I am so excited seeing your Freeway Park design concept – sorry even could not speak – needed to get some fresh air” and at that time I saw tears in his eyes. This is how I like to remember Larry Halprin – one of the greatest appreciators of my design work.
Photo: Angela Danadjieva (Photo courtesy Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania)