Draft:Bas Smets

Bas Smets is a landscape architect, founder of the Bureau Bas Smets, and professor of architecture at Harvard University. He holds a master's degree in architecture and civil engineering from the University of Leuven and a master's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Geneva.

Bas Smets founded his practice in Brussels in 2007 and has since completed over 50 projects in more than 12 countries with his team of 25 architects and landscape architects. His work varies in scale from territorial visions to infrastructural landscapes, from large parks to private gardens, from city centres to film sets.

He has received numerous distinctions and awards, including the Prix de l'urbanisme et de l'espace public from the Académie française d'architecture and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Bas Smets is known for his innovative approach to landscape architecture, using the logics of nature to create 'Augmented Landscapes' that produce a new microclimate and create new atmospheres. He collaborates with artists and scientists to create interrelated research into the possible role and ambition of landscape projects.

Smets has also taught in various institutions, including the Graduate School of Design of Harvard University, the Ecole d'Architecture la Cambre in Brussels, the Ecole Spéciale d'Architecture in Paris, and the Technische Universität in Graz. He has had a monographic exhibition presented in 2013 by deSingel International Arts Centre and Arc-en-Reve centre for architecture in Bordeaux. In 2017, he was appointed General Commissioner for the Biennial of Architecture of Bordeaux.

With a focus on climate-compatible landscapes and community-centered spaces, Smets has made significant contributions to the field of landscape architecture, earning international recognition.

Career and Contributions

Bas Smets' career spans over two decades, during which he has completed numerous high-profile projects that showcase his unique approach to landscape architecture. His work often involves reimagining urban spaces to create environments that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and resilience.

One of Smets' most notable projects is the re-design of the area surrounding Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was devastated by a fire in 2019. Smets has been appointed to redevelop the expanses around Notre-Dame, greening the Île de la Cité into a mini, verdant paradise in the heart of one of Europe's largest metropolises. His mission is to create microclimates that can help manage temperature, especially in a big urban hub like Paris, as a key tool against climate change.

Throughout his career, Smets has demonstrated a commitment to creating spaces that foster community engagement and social interaction. His projects often involve the repurposing of underutilized urban spaces into vibrant, eco-friendly hubs that promote biodiversity and pedestrian-friendly urban design.

Smets' work not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of urban environments but also contributes to their sustainability and resilience, addressing the challenges of climate change and fostering a deeper connection between people and nature.

Notable Projects

In addition to the re-landscaping of the area around Notre Dame Cathedral, Bas Smets has completed a wide range of projects that demonstrate his innovative approach to landscape architecture. These include:

• Parc des Ateliers in Arles, France: A collaboration with artist Patrick Corillon, this project transformed an abandoned railway site into a vibrant cultural and recreational space, featuring a variety of plant species and art installations. The project exemplifies Smets' ability to integrate art and nature, creating a unique and engaging urban space that fosters community engagement and social interaction.
• Tour and Taxis park in Brussels, Belgium: Smets transformed a disused railway station into a modern, sustainable urban park, complete with green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and a variety of plant species. This project showcases his ability to repurpose underutilized urban spaces into vibrant, eco-friendly hubs that promote biodiversity and pedestrian-friendly urban design.
• The Green Carpet in Paris, France: A project that involved the creation of a green corridor connecting various parks and green spaces in the city, promoting biodiversity and pedestrian-friendly urban design. This project demonstrates Smets' commitment to creating sustainable urban spaces that prioritize the needs of local communities and foster a deeper connection between people and nature.
• Part-Dieu square in Lyon, France: Smets transformed a large, concrete plaza into a lush, green urban space, complete with trees, water features, and seating areas. This project exemplifies his ability to create inviting, sustainable spaces that foster community engagement and social interaction, enhancing the overall quality of urban life.

Recognition and Impact

Bas Smets' work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, In 2008, he won the biennial French prize for young landscape architects 'Les Nouveaux Albums des lunes Architectes et des Paysagistes'. In 2014 he was awarded with the prestigious European Prize for Urban Public Space for his re-design of the area around Notre Dame Cathedral. He has also received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2018.

In addition to his professional achievements, Smets has also been recognized for his contributions to education and advocacy in the field of landscape architecture. He has been awarded the prestigious Rome Prize for Landscape Architecture and the International Urban Design Award, among other honors.