Inside Martha Schwartz Partners' climate solutions
How the innovative firm is building a better tomorrow
Environmental approach
Martha Schwartz Partners (MSP) is a leading environmental design firm with a presence in London, Shanghai, and New York. Dedicated to transforming urban spaces into vibrant, eco-friendly environments, MSP combines art and science to address the impacts of climate change and provide for healthy and vibrant communities. Relying heavily on Lumion to visualize their projects, MSP shared insights into their approach to sustainable design, the challenges they face, and how Lumion has become an essential tool in their workflow. We sat down with Farm Napapol Sukprasert, Senior Designer at MSP, to talk about the firm’s innovative strategies and vision for the future of landscape architecture.
Can you tell us about MSP and its unique journey?
Farm: MSP was founded over 40 years ago by four partners, one of them being Martha herself. From the beginning, the goal was to combine landscape with art, seamlessly integrating aesthetics and science. Over the years, we’ve evolved our designs to ensure they meet modern demands for sustainability and environmental benefit.
As you’re based in Shanghai, London, and New York, how does having such a diverse international practice influence your work process?
Farm: Our offices in Shanghai, London, and New York are somewhat independent but collaborate when needed. In this setup we can draw on a diverse range of experts and perspectives and enrich our projects. We share knowledge and staff to maintain our standards, ensuring consistency in our work. And, of course, this global presence helps us understand and incorporate local climate and environmental considerations into our designs. We prefer to work in-office for better communication and quicker decision-making: being in the same space lets creativity flow. But we stay flexible and adapt to remote work when necessary, especially for global collaboration. Location shouldn’t be an obstacle.
Tell us more about the mission of your practice.
Farm: We have a big responsibility on our hands: as clients might not always take climate change into account, we have to show them the benefits of a sustainable approach and integrate it into their projects – we try to emphasize the long-term advantages, both environmentally and economically, of sustainable practices. This way, every project not only meets the client's needs but contributes to the environment.
What challenges do you face with clients?
Farm: The biggest challenge is convincing clients about the practical benefits of addressing climate change. Many clients are primarily concerned with immediate costs and returns, so we must demonstrate the long-term value and sustainability benefits. We work hard to translate our extensive knowledge into practical terms for them, showing how our designs can lead to energy savings, improved comfort, and enhanced environmental performance over time. We use Lumion to bridge the gap between theory and practice, creating realistic simulations that make our concepts tangible for clients. This approach helps clients see the real-world impact of our designs, making them more likely to embrace sustainable solutions. It’s about making the abstract concrete and demonstrating that good design can lead to a better, more sustainable future. So, convincing the client would be the biggest challenge.
Farm Napapol Sukprasert
Senior Designer, MSP
We use Lumion to bridge the gap between theory and practice, creating realistic simulations that make our concepts tangible for clients. It’s about making the abstract concrete and demonstrating that good design can lead to a better, more sustainable future.
Would you say visualization helps tackle this challenge?
Farm: Visualization absolutely helps. It’s the only way to communicate important theoretical knowledge to a client who may not always understand or care about sustainability. Climate change has serious impacts, and we're trying to address it. Take Thailand, for example: people experience extreme heat daily, especially in summer. It's often said that Thailand has only two seasons – hot and hotter.
Because of political power dynamics, we need to find ways to convince clients about the importance of green spaces. Climate change initiatives are often handled by the government, not private companies. State-owned companies have policies in place to address it because they control city infrastructure, but private companies feel they can't change the world alone and sometimes rely on the government to take action. But if all private companies think this way, no progress will ever be made. Visualizing a space, as well as providing metadata, does wonders to convince the client.
What role does Lumion play in the initial stages of your projects?
Farm: We start with a detailed brief from the client, brainstorm ideas across offices, and select the best concepts. This initial phase involves a lot of creative thinking and discussion to align our vision with the client's goals. We use Lumion throughout this stage to visualize and refine our designs based on client feedback. It helps us quickly iterate and present clear, compelling visuals that make decision-making easier for everyone involved. We start with sketch-like visuals and gradually move to more detailed and realistic ones, as it helps manage client expectations and showcases the evolution of our designs.
You’re an advanced, long-time Lumion user. How has the software evolved since you started using it?
Farm: I started using Lumion years ago in college. Its user-friendly interface and powerful visualization capabilities made it an essential tool for me early on. Now, at MSP, we use it for all projects from concept to final design to communicate ideas clearly and make adjustments quickly. The latest version is exceptionally good, as real-time rendering lets us experiment with different design elements and see the results immediately, which is invaluable during the creative process. Ray-traced nature adds realism, while the new glass makes our lighting and shading better. Our projects are now as immersive as it gets. We even had our colleague host a series of workshops on Lumion! By sharing knowledge and best practices, we can consistently create high-quality, innovative designs.
What’s the most important aspect of creating an environment?
Farm: It’s about creating environments that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional and beneficial for the habitat. For instance, spreading trees throughout a space instead of grouping them in one area can provide better shading and comfort in summer while letting in sunlight during winter. It's essential to think about how these small design choices like this, as they can impact the overall environment and the people living in it. This kind of thoughtful planning is key to creating sustainable and enjoyable spaces. Actually, Lumion really helps us visualize seasonal changes, showing clients how landscapes evolve, change, and perform throughout the year. This makes it easier for clients to understand and support our strategic vision.
What excites you about the future of architecture and sustainable design?
Farm: The future lies in interdisciplinary approaches. Architects need to be versatile, combining knowledge from different fields to create holistic solutions. The role of an architect is expanding; we’re no longer just building designers but also environmental specialists. I myself see my role as Environmental Designer and Architect. I love working on urban landscape projects because they directly impact people's lives, and that’s important to me. Open spaces in cities offer unique opportunities for social interaction and community building. I’m excited about the potential of integrating more advanced technologies and data into our work, allowing us to create even more sustainable and impactful designs.
Stay connected
Would you like to read more interviews like this? Then sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest Lumion news, tips, guides, and other inspiring content.
What advice would you give to those entering the architecture industry?
Farm: Don’t strive for perfection right away. Focus on learning and understanding your craft. Embrace the imperfections and see them as opportunities for growth. Also, experience the real world. Don’t just rely on digital tools; go out and observe spaces, touch the ground, experience the place in 360 – it’s so important and underrated in this day and age. As an architect, you can only understand what works and what doesn’t by observing the space firsthand. In a world where most things are digital, we tend to forget how invaluable hands-on experience of a space can be. Lastly, find your niche and passion within the field, whether it’s environmental design or another specialty. This focus will drive success and fulfillment.
Visualize the future
With decades of experience across three major cities, Martha Schwartz Partners (MSP) continues to push the boundaries of landscape architecture. Their innovative approach tackles climate change and fosters a better future for all. As showcased in MSP’s exceptional work, Lumion is a powerful tool that not only elevates projects but also helps communicate important climate objectives.
Start with a free 14-day Lumion Pro trial and turn ideas into reality.
