Changing the Commons

Changing the Commons Book Trailer

ALTA Features Changing the Commons

Counter Punch: Finding Nature in the Built Environment

ArchDaily Review

Winners of the 45th Annual American Book Award

ENDORSMENTS
“In Changing the Commons John Roberts reveals a nuanced and innovative approach to the art of placemaking. His work is based upon an intuitive understanding of the complexity of creating places that bring people together in joyful and contemplative settings, while enhancing and protecting the natural world. He has worked on some of the nation’s most iconic spaces—Crissy Field in San Francisco, Muir Woods, and in Yosemite Valley. In each instance, Roberts creates a “new balance between the built and natural environment,” often restoring neglected waterways, and always respecting the needs of each stakeholder. Roberts’ projects are based on a deep understanding of the history of a place, its role in its respective community, and a knowledge of the healing power of the natural world. Changing the Commons reveals fresh thinking and a strong philosophical grounding in what makes a successful place; it is destined to be a seminal work on the art of placemaking.”
—Emily H. Axelrod, Former Director of the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence

“John Northmore Roberts’ book “Changing the Commons” is a superb gift to his grandchildren, to all who are interested the creation of public spaces, and to all students of the environmental design professions. The book presents a personalized catalog of community-based and ecological design projects completed over fifty years of his work as a landscape architect in California while offering insightful lessons for the future. The projects range from very urban locations such as the Addison Street Arts District in Berkeley to wilderness settings in Yosemite National Park. Throughout the projects, John’s exceptional understanding of local ecology, human sociology, and the logistics of people moving through an area are evident. An example of his sensitivity to balancing human use and enhancing local ecology may be seen in his design of an elevated walkway in Muir Woods National Monument. This simple, but eloquently designed walkway, allows thousands of visitors to walk through the ancient redwood forest while protecting the trees and restoring the natural understory habitat without contributing to soil compaction. Its winding route also provides for visual separation of individuals and small groups of park visitors. This important separation enhances the sense of being alone beneath the giant redwood trees. John’s solution to the parking and pedestrian access to Yosemite Falls is an outstanding example of his understanding of logistics when it comes to parking and pedestrian movement in congested areas often found in frequently visited commons areas.

I have lived in the San Francisco Bay areas during the period when John Northmore Roberts created the outstanding designs for our commons presented in the book. Being familiar with many of the areas prior to his ‘place making’ allowed me the opportunity to experience the “before” and “after” of his work. Two significant observations come out of the comparison. First, is his sensitivity to local ecology and second is his understanding of how people move through and experience our ‘sacred places’.

The design of the book and the inclusion of excellent photographs, maps, and landscape plans are all outstanding. It is a tribute to his work and a gift not only to his grandchildren, but to all of us who enjoy the “Commons”.”
—Joe McBride, Emeritus Professor of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at the University of California at Berkeley

“In Changing the Commons John Roberts reveals a nuanced and innovative approach to the art of placemaking. His work is based upon an intuitive understanding of the complexity of creating places that bring people together in joyful and contemplative settings, while enhancing and protecting the natural world. He has worked on some of the nation’s most iconic spaces—Crissy Field in San Francisco, Muir Woods, and in Yosemite Valley. In each instance, Roberts creates a “new balance between the built and natural environment,” often restoring neglected waterways, and always respecting the needs of each stakeholder. Roberts’ projects are based on a deep understanding of the history of a place, its role in its respective community, and a knowledge of the healing power of the natural world. Changing the Commons reveals fresh thinking and a strong philosophical grounding in what makes a successful place; it is destined to be a seminal work on the art of placemaking.”
—Emily H. Axelrod, Former Director Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, the pre-eminent national urban design award program of the Bruner Foundation, Inc., Retired City and Regional Planner, San Francisco and Boston

“In his important book, Changing the Commons: Stories about Placemaking, landscape architect John Northmore Roberts explains the ways he has found to serve our ever more pressing needs to conserve the earth’s urban and rural communities of plants, animals, and humans through balanced, safe and beautiful environments. He updates Frederick Law Olmsted’s beliefs and practices to function in the 21st century and beyond.”
—Carla Blank, Coauthor of Storming the Old Boys’ Citadel: Two Pioneer Women Architects of Nineteenth Century North America

Size: 8” x 10” Portrait
Pages: 312pp
Binding: Softbound
Publication Date: Spring 2023
ISBN: 978-1-957183-33-6
World Rights: Available