A Landscape Designer’s Vision: Transforming Neglected Spaces with Yijia Xu & Zhimin Ma

Yijia Xu: I’m currently a landscape designer with Field Operations. I was trained as an architect before turning to landscape architecture for my master’s degree.

Zhimin Ma: I'm a landscape designer based in San Francisco, focusing primarily on public landscape projects.

Yijia Xu: Design could mean a lot. But personally, design amplifies the sensational experience of the world. I somehow believe good design is not always about inventing new things. It’s the delicacy, curiosity and empathy when you observe the world that could turn the otherwise invisible things into tangible ones. In this way, design is both personal and public to me.

Zhimin Ma: Design brings our everyday experiences into poetic storytelling, bridging between functionality and aesthetics. In landscape design, it’s the practice of transforming neglected spaces into environments that serve not only people but the ecosystem as well.

Yijia Xu: I appreciate designs that capture the essence of a site. The magic lies in transforming overlooked or neglected spaces into extraordinary experiences. It’s about recognizing every aspect of the site without bias and using thoughtful design to shift public perceptions. Some of my favorite examples include the High Line, Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, and Leça Swimming Pool.

Zhimin Ma: I admire designs that engage all senses. Thoughtful placemaking, the right combination of materials and plants, and high-standard construction create immersive experiences where you can see, hear, smell, and feel nature's essence.

Both of us pay a lot of attention to the texture of the site. It is not only about the richness of the materials but also the unique characteristics of the site, either light or heavy, transient or permanent, dynamic or static.

On our first visit to the site, we were struck by the dynamic, ever-changing nature of the steel plant. This inspired us to begin by carefully analyzing the evolving processes within the plant. With production shifting rapidly, our design looked ahead, exploring how future transformations in the steel industry might shape the space. We questioned whether the public could become part of this change.

Guided by these ideas, we adopted a phasing strategy, introduced pilot projects, and emphasized materiality. Central to our approach was "creative crafting"—blending the cognitive and physical aspects of steelmaking to inspire both industry and community interaction.

Our project reimagines one of China’s largest steel plants as a mixed-use landscape. It addresses the challenge of bridging ongoing industrial operations with sustainable, community-engaging spaces. We chose to submit this project because it reflects our vision for future industrial landscapes—not as abandoned relics, but as spaces with potential to evolve and engage with contemporary societal needs. It symbolizes the intersection of creativity, functionality, and sustainability in a rapidly urbanizing world

Yijia Xu: Creativity, Storytelling, and Beauty.

Zhimin Ma: Creativity, positive environmental impact, and the uniqueness of each project.

We anticipate the design industry moving towards adaptive reuse and sustainability, especially in urban and industrial environments. Cross-disciplinary collaboration will become essential, as designers engage with engineers, environmentalists, and communities. Technology will continue to play a transformative role, enhancing how spaces are conceptualized and experienced.

Ultimately, design will shift towards fostering resilience—creating spaces that adapt to changing economic and environmental conditions while remaining connected to the general public.

Yijia Xu: Travel as much as you can. Understand how diverse the local communities construct their built reality (or utopia) with their unique history, materials and perspectives.

Zhimin Ma: Visit more landscape sites and always bring questions. Real-world sites reveal the practical aspects of design far better than drawings can.