Martina Voser discussed the intersection of landscape architecture, natural forces, and human intervention, focusing on the aftermath of the 2017 landslide in Bondo, Switzerland. She highlighted how shaping space is always an act of impact, influencing ecological and social dynamics. Her presentation explored the challenges of integrating large-scale protective infrastructure into the historic and delicate cultural landscape of Bondo. Voser’s team, in collaboration with engineers and hydrologists, developed solutions that balance safety with aesthetics and community use — transforming protective dikes into terraced gardens and designing a bridge that harmonises with its surroundings. A key theme was shifting from controlling natural forces to guiding them, allowing for new ecological and social interactions. The project embraced locally sourced materials, using uncut stones from the landslide itself, reinforcing a dialogue between disaster and renewal. Voser emphasised the need for infrastructure that fosters identity, culture, and everyday life rather than merely serving functional purposes. Her work in Bondo demonstrates how design can turn a site of catastrophe into a landscape of resilience and regeneration.
“We love to have it static, but the landscape is always moving. It’s about guiding natural forces, not controlling them.”
— Martina Voser
