Interview with Agnieszka Hubeny-Zukowska

Agnieszka Hubeny-Zukowska ("AH") interviewed on Sunday, 18 March.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

AH : From high school, my whole life revolves around gardens and green spaces. I've been practicing internationally in marvelous places across Europe and the USA. I practiced in gardens on private estates and historical premises in Great Britain. Among others, the gardens of Henry VIII in Hever Castle and Lord Rothschild's Waddesdon Manor. I had the pleasure to learn a profession with world-renowned designer John Brookes. I met Charles Jencks personally ... I finished in the UK Professional gardening, nursery and Garden Design. In Poland, Landscape Architecture and Shaping Green Areas. I design what I am most passionate about - large gardens around estates, country residences and townhouses. My clients are people who love beauty, live in nature and value their privacy. They are often people from the world of sport, film and art.

How did you become a designer?

AH : Everyone knows the book Frances Hodgson Burnett -The Secret Garden. My youthful dreams of designing such secret places have intensified my almost six-year stay in Great Britain. Learning gardening and garden design in such an amazing country filled with parks, gardens and castles filled me with the desire and energy for my entire life. So far, every year I return to the UK to recharge my "barter". My design style is the result of my experiences and the people I met on my way. Among other things, this is a mixture of English gardens, motto John Brookes "gardens are for people", madness that aroused in me, Charles Jencks, his Garden of Cosmic Speculation, and nature worshiped by Piet Oudolf.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

AH : When designing a garden around the house, the most important thing for me is to get acquainted with the place and the needs of the owners. I know that this may not be common practice for modern designers and that I may seem old-fashioned, but contact with the client is really important to me. I believe that beauty and functionality can go hand in hand. However, it requires more work and commitment on my part. When it comes to design, I love hand-drawing. I believe that the concept I make with pencil or water crayons allows me to fully understand the scale of the project and its details. Then I use computer programs for finishing projects, but I often make visualizations with ink, pencil or water paints. When I start work on a new project, I'm accusing myself of pictures of the area, notes from the meeting with the client and the images that inspired them. I try to combine all these elements together with my ideas into one coherent concept.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

AH : I feel different emotions depending on the design phase. Initially, during and after the meeting, I am excited about the new place, I am full of ideas and I feel that energy is spreading through me. Then there is a moment of consternation, thoughts and conclusions when I have to combine all the elements into one whole. When I finish drawing the concept I feel joy from the result of my work. Presenting the concept to the customer is a moment of anxiety, whether they will like it, excitement and joy. The final phase of the project is a lot of work, as well as satisfaction and energy boost for the next project. Generally, I am an energetic person, and my work gives me a lot of joy.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

AH : Even as a child, I exhibited artistic skills. I made small plasticine figures, I drew and painted. I even wanted to go to a ceramic school. The teachers said I had a "good eye". Painting has been with me to this day. I'm playing with pencil, ink and watercolors. I changed my playing with plasticine for making clay and ceramics. I love to sculpt and glaze my work. My "good eye" has contributed to the fascination with photography. In addition, I love wicker. All of those outside of my hobby project really help me at work and complement it. Painting and drawing I use for projects, thanks to working with clay, not only uses ceramic and sculptural elements in gardens, but also some say that the lines in my gardens often flow. I often use wicker in children's gardens, and photography makes it easier for me to find viewing frames and focal points in the garden.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

AH : I never really planned anything. I am an open person, I love traveling and new challenges and I simply reach for them. I'm taking advantage of all the upcoming opportunities. I do not close myself to any suggestions and just flow with the wave. I have never regretted it before. I design for people who share my view of space and gardens. I never made any project "forcefully". If something does not suit me, I just do not take it. I do not have to do anything at all costs because I know that such projects will not bring me joy. At the moment I'm doing a lot of fascinating projects and having a great time. It gives me the most satisfaction - working together with the owners on their garden projects. I do not know what I would like to design further. Life surprises me day after day and it is fascinating. I will certainly make more and more contacts with universities because lectures and work with students bring a lot of satisfaction. Maybe it will sound childish but I would like my gardens to be recognizable as beautiful, interesting and friendly to owners and nature.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

AH : My advice for young designers is "be open to the world". We learn all our lives, and the knowledge of the whole world is so extensive that we really know nothing ... I think that the most important thing in life is to do what we love and do it as well as we can. Do not cheat and do something against yourself because it will not bring you satisfaction. You have to keep your eyes wide open. You have to learn to listen, draw conclusions and learn from mistakes. Do not be discouraged by failures or give up. You always have to go forward and use what day brings us. Believe in your skills. Adrian Fisher, a designer of labyrinths and my last mentor once told me: The first impression is made only once. And you have to remember that!

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

AH : I do not feel that I am in a position where I can advise someone. However, I think that especially in my industry, the problem of designers and architects is that they do not listen to their clients. I think that people who design buildings, interiors or gardens should focus less on themselves and their life projects, and more on what the client needs. People turn to us for help. For help in designing some space in which they will live. The designers will not live in this space ...

What is your day to day look like?

AH : I live in a crazy world. I design gardens, supervise their construction, conduct lectures, make photo sessions, meet with clients ... Every day looks a bit different. I get up in the morning and make a note over coffee - a plan for the day. I check my e-mail, look at what's happening in the world and move to the vortex of tasks. Sometimes I start a new project, sometimes I prepare a lecture. Sometimes I fly by plane to the other end of the country or drive a few hours to meet a client in his home amid lakes, mountains or in the middle of beautiful forests. Every day I meet new fantastic people and undertake some interesting challenge. I'm not bored.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

AH : I am interested in new technologies and new solutions. Trends are what is already there, what is promoted and I'm not interested in it very much. It does not affect what I do. Of course, I go to a conference, I visit world garden exhibitions. I look at what's happening in the world, but I do not really take it to heart. I draw conclusions from what I see and I do my own.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

AH : A good project for me combines functionality, beauty and individuality. I know I can stay in the minority, but I think that good projects are made with time, they learn from other projects, they evolve and they are timeless.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

AH : A garden is a very specific matter. Despite the fact that the project can be finished, the garden itself always changes. It changes with time, with times of day and year. Matures. I have learned not to overdo the additions in my projects. I leave a little space for individual owner changes. I know that this is not a popular practice among garden designers and they are often surprised. I think that the success of my project is just a little space that makes the project not only mine, but also the garden owner. It brings joy to me and the owner. Joy is satisfaction and success.

What is your biggest design work?

AH : Each project has something in itself and it is difficult to say which one is the most important. Everyone is important and special to me. The most media-oriented one is certainly the one that won the silver A'Design Award & Competition in 2016 and won the disinction of the International Design Award 2015 in Los Angeles. In Poland, won the plebiscite Polish Landscape XXL in 2015. He was also shown in The American Architecture Prize 2017 catalog and several times on Polish television. A section of a well-known Polish garden television program was also devoted to this garden. I think that such a media response can be called a success and it definitely pleases. The garden was a great design challenge because it is located in the city center on a busy street and next to a historic villa. It is located on 3 terraces, and its central part is located on the roof of the pool. I think that I managed to meet customer requirements, places and restorer. I created a place that harmonizes with the historic building and the owner's contemporary dreams.

Who is your favourite designer?

AH : I do not have one selected designer. I also do not like individual works. I am more interested in the ideas of designers and projects that have caused changes in our view of the world. In my case, they are landscape and garden designers. I am fascinated by the personality and work of the long-dead Gertrude Jekyll, who was also a painter, artist and garden designer. In fact, she painted the gardens with flowers. It is she who was the first to account for the color, texture, and experience of gardens. An important person for me was also John Brookes and his motto "Gardens are for people." I had the opportunity to learn a profession with this well-known designer and his view of the world certainly influenced my work. Other personalities are Charles Jencks and Diarmuid Gavin. Although they share a whole generation, I admire the openness of the mind, finding inspiration in the least expected places and extraordinary courage in implementing their plans. I also observe and admire the works of Piet Oudolf, who is a leading figure of the "New Perennial" movement. His use of plants is very close to my heart. I think that these people have introduced a lot of interesting to the landscape architecture world.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

AH : My inspiration is people, architecture and nature. My desk is right next to a big window with a view of my garden, meadows and forest. At the moment I am working on a project to revive a small street in Sopot - a resort town located in Poland by the Baltic Sea. This is a tourist town with a short but rich history. Unfortunately, most of the world's cities have been forgotten of living people in the last decades. What counted was progress, modern architecture and fast communication. The streets are no longer a friendly place for residents. Many places have been forgotten and neglected. My project is trying to bring the street / space closer to the people who live there. I design an area that will be friendly to children, young people, families and the elderly. This is a small but important project that can revive the area.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

AH : I create the concept of land development and plant design in person. In the studio, we work together with my assistants landscape architects. I also work with architects, dendrologists and industry specialists. The land development project is best carried out at the building design stage. Then, thanks to cooperation with architects, I can make the necessary facilities. Working in an interdisciplinary group brings the best results in large areas. People who are very important to me in the design process are landowners. Their remarks and guidelines are very important to me. I like working with open and friendly people. It is important to understand each other and establish relationships

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

AH : As a designer, I cooperate with secondary and higher schools, where I teach and lecture on landscape architecture. I am a member of the jury in the National Competition for Landscape Architecture knowledge for secondary schools. I am a member of a 2-person jury in the garden arrangement contest "Arrangements - Inspirations". Every year I run open project workshops for people interested in the subject. I share my knowledge at various types of conferences and industry meetings. I think that the knowledge gained only in schools is insufficient for young designers. Practical knowledge and life advice provided by practicing designers perfectly complements this school and is essential

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

AH : Participation in competitions is extremely important for creators. It allows us to test our abilities, show our work and skills to a wider group. Competitions facilitate access to the international audience, and the contest itself is a place where we meet amazing people. Designers from our field and related fields. New contacts, exchange of insights and experiences are extremely important in the work of each of us.Being Designer of the Day is an amazing honor and distinction. It is also a challenge, and the engine for further work.

Agnieszka Hubeny-Zukowska Profile