Julie Bargmann (1990 Fellow) stands as a trailblazer in the world of regenerative landscapes, revered globally for her daring, innovative designs and her passionate commitment to transforming neglected spaces. As an educator, she pushed boundaries with the same adventurous spirit that has come to define her career. In 1992, Bargmann founded D.I.R.T. studio, a groundbreaking firm that brings her vision to life—projects driven by a fierce dedication to honesty, creativity, and a deep respect for the stories etched into the land.

Bargmann’s work is a masterclass in economy and connection, where every design choice honors the history of a site while forging strong ties to its surrounding community. Her specialty? Breathing new life into derelict industrial terrains and forgotten urban landscapes, turning them into vibrant, engaging spaces. With a background as diverse as her projects, Bargmann began her journey with a BFA in sculpture from Carnegie Mellon University, followed by a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Her accolades are as impressive as her work. A Rome Prize Fellow in 1990 who has served on two Academy design juries, Bargmann is the first-ever recipient of the Cornelia Oberlander International Prize in Landscape Architecture and a winner of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Architecture. These honors celebrate her distinctive approach: a powerful blend of simplicity, resourcefulness, and an unwavering commitment to creating landscapes that are both deeply evocative and authentically rooted in their environments.

“At the academy, I plan to retrace my steps into Etruscan landscapes,” Bargmann told AAR. “For me the Etruscan sites beckon land art, primal forms of roads and necropoli etched into the volcanic rock of central Etruria. Perhaps with some adventurous fellows, I can visit my beloved Norchia and Ceverteri north of Rome, reflecting on my own minimalist approach to the landscape.”

The photograph of Julie Bargmann is © Mark Shaw 2024.