Sasaki Designer Tao Zhang Interview in Landscape Record

1. INTERVIEW
Landscape Record Vol. 1/2015.02120
Landscape Record (LR): Clean,
potable water is becoming scarce
in many places. What do you think
a landscape architect can do about
this?
Tao: It is true that clean water is becoming scarce
in many parts of the world, but we also need to
be reminded that water is 100% recycled in and
around the earth, not one ounce less, not one
ounce more. Every drop of water on earth today
has existed for millions and millions of years.
At one point, it could be the vapor exhaled by a
dinosaur; yet at another point it becomes a drop
of clean water in our tap. Whether it is usable
for us human beings today depends on how we
treat water. If we disrespectfully mix water with
all the toxic substances and discharge it to the
rivers carelessly, then we are reducing our own
available water source.
It is difficult to dissociate my profession from
my whole being as an environmentally conscious
Water as a Resource and Inspiration
of My Design
Tao plays dual roles of a landscape
architect and an ecologist at Sasaki. He
believes that good landscape architects
are scientifically informed artists who
compose shared spaces that both offer
transcendent outdoor experiences and help
maintain healthy ecosystems. Built on his
background in science and research as well
as his passion for creativity, Tao strives to
create aesthetically pleasing designs rooted
in a deep understanding of ecosystems and
their cultural contexts. The complexity of
the contemporary urban landscape requires
thoughtful consideration of not only human
experiences but also the dynamics and
processes of the physico-chemical systems
and habitats for other species. His work
ranges from large-scale conceptual plans to
site landscape designs. Bridging between
urban design, landscape architecture and
ecology, Tao has contributed to creating
a number of vibrant new urban districts
and public parks. Tao is also engaged in
academic activities by publishing at peer
reviewed journals and speaking frequently
at conferences.
Tao ZHANG citizen. I think it is everyone’s responsibility to
care about our water, not only for ourselves, but
also for the generations to come. As a landscape
architect, I always treat water as one of the most
important resources and often the inspiration
of my design. I think we can try to bring public
awareness to the water issues through our design.
For example, we can daylight buried rivers to
be part of the desirable water features in our
cities. We can also design bioswales to collect
stormwater instead of relying on the engineered
underground pipes. We should try to preserve
and protect the existing natural water bodies
when we do large-scale landscape planning. They
should not just be treated as commodities for
development opportunities.
LR: Why is rainwater management
so important? What are the benefits
of sustainable water management
design?
Tao: Rainwater is a critical step in the water
- An interview with Tao Zhang, Sasaki
Landscape Architect, Ecologist,
Associate of Sasaki
Jiading Central Park

2. Landscape Record Vol. 1/2015.02 121
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
cycling in nature. Without healthy water cycling,
we would face many challenges and even
disasters. If rainwater is not drained properly,
our cities are inundated or flooded. Ground
water depletes without a sustainable recharge
from rainwater through the soil. The benefits of
sustainable water management design can help
alleviate the urban pressure on the natural water
cycling through the ecosystems. By collecting
rainwater through bioswales, rain gardens, and
detention ponds, we can treat stormwater on site
by increasing infiltration, bioremediating urban
pollutants, and reducing runoff that may cause
flooding.
LR: Clients, especially private
owners, might be concerned that
rainwater management will cost a lot.
How do you convince your clients to
invest in rainwater management?
Tao: I think it is a common myth that rainwater
management will always cost more. We have to
look at the question case by case. Sometimes it is
true that it will involve more upfront investment,
but often it is the opposite, especially in the
long term. We understand that the client may be
concerned about the cost and we do not judge
them for that. We always try to investigate the
local climate first for the optimum solution. A
sustainable solution for one site might not be so
at all for another site. For example, the approach
to deal with stormwater in a tropical city with
ample precipitation is totally different from
that for an arid area. To have a fair and candid
conversation with the client, we would quantify
the amount of stormwater and any economic and
social impacts of the different design solutions.
Then we would let facts speak for themselves.
The best solutions would be the win-win
situations when the client could save money and
the environment will be improved too.
LR: If you were commissioned with
a project with a very limited budget,
where will you put your money in
terms of rainwater management? Are
there any most cost-effective ways?
Tao: This will have to be case specific. I find it
counterproductive to generalize in design. Nature
is so dynamic and diverse. There will never be
a one-for-all solution. For one project, native
planting might be the priority. Yet for another
site, it could be a forebay to settle the sediments
first. So it really varies.
LR: Could you please describe a
certain project (or a few) that you
worked on with excellent rainwater
management design? What special
techniques have been applied? Any
challenges?
Tao: Jiading Central Park is one of the projects
where I participated in a series of ecological
and sustainable designs. The techniques applied
included installing bioswales, restoring river
riparian zones and wetlands, and installing
cisterns for rainwater storage. One of the
challenges was that we had to convince the
client and the contractors that what we proposed
was doable. because of a lack of successful
precedents, people were skeptical whether
our design solutions were just theoretical and
too idealistic, but all of our design decisions
were based on thorough studies and our rich
experience with challenging projects around
the world. The final result was a success that
reassured everyone of a right approach.
Jiading Central Park
Jiading Central Park

3. INTERVIEW
Landscape Record Vol. 1/2015.02122
a landscape architect and ecologist.
LR: What do you enjoy most in your
career as a landscape architect? Are
there any special stories you would
like to share?
Tao: Landscape architecture is a unique
LR: An increasing amount of
rain gardens have been installed
worldwide. What, in your opinion, are
the important items to consider when
planning a rain garden?
Tao: I think there isn’t a universal most important
item for all. The most important thing to consider
is that the rain gardens are climate and site
specific. Precipitation patterns, soil types, and
slope conditions all have significant impacts on
rain garden design.
LR: What types of plants will you
suggest for planting in rain gardens?
Tao: I recommend native plants that thrive in
a floodplain, because they are best suited to
the local climate and rain pattern, and they can
tolerate both inundation and drought. Again, they
are region and site specific.
LR: How about the pavement? Or
other elements like soil?
Tao: Permeable pavement is always highly
recommended. More importantly, all the sub
layers and underlayment have to be permeable
as well. I have seen permeable pavers incorrectly
installed on top of solid sub layers which prevent
infiltration and create sub layer sheet flow.
LR: How do you make a rain garden
low-maintenance?
Tao: I am referring back to my answer to the
question about planting. Native plants that thrive in a
floodplain are recommended. If you are choosing the
specimens that fit the local soils and climate the best,
nature will do the most of maintenance for you.
LR: How does the local climate affect
your design?
Tao: It’s part of the fundamental understanding
of a project in our practice. Along with other
environmental parameters, it dictates our design
thinking from the very beginning.
LR: Is there anyone (or anything) who
inspires you most as a landscape
architect?
Tao: Yes, but there isn’t any particular single
person who is my source of inspiration. I draw
most of my daily inspiration from my colleagues,
from entry level to the most senior designers. I
find it inspiring to learn something different and
new every each day by working with them. I
think that’s a big source of motivation for me as
integration of science and art. The creative
pursuits and seeing my ideas make positive
changes to the environment are quite rewarding.
I can be idealistic sometimes and pragmatic at
other times depending on the scope and type of
the projects.
Jiading Central Park
All images and drawings provided by Sasaki