CORNELIA HAHN OBERLANDER

. . . McGill Convocation Address Continued

I am a landscape architect by choice and by the good fortune of an interdisciplinary education. At Harvard this included Engineering 101. The course tried to teach me how to build retaining walls. Of course, I flunked and ended up with good advice from my Professor who said “Go and hire yourself an engineer, Miss Hahn.” This started my early
collaboration with Engineers. Our careers started with enthusiasm and hope, creating spaces for people’s enjoyment. Since then we have explored outer space and learned more about our universe, seeing earth as a single magnificent blue and brown planet.
Yesterday we landed on Mars for more explorations. However, in our busy lives, we fail to celebrate the mysteries of nature and the wonders of the living world. As we hurry along, we do not notice the humble moss in the crack of the sidewalk as a sign of growth.

I was fortunate to grow up in a garden and roam the nearby woods. From my 11th year on, stimulated by a casual expedition to an art gallery of landscape paintings, I aspired to become a Landscape Architect despite the traditional hurdles of forced immigration.
 
I escaped Hitler’s murderous hordes – striking new roots in alien soil within a welcoming Canada. I am deeply grateful for this act of generosity and humanity.
 
Ever since graduating I have practiced my profession with five
guiding words: Patience Persistence Politeness Professionalism
and PASSION which collectively I call ‘my survival kit’.

How did I manage the grueling process of interviews, professional
competition and demanding clients? With TENACITY! To each
project I brought concept, research and collaboration. I climbed the
proverbial mountain – and the view is GREEN.
 
Many of these projects broadened my experience and confirmed that
there is little new under the sun.
Therefore
- let us use our experience
- build on what we know
- avoid re-inventing the wheel
- clarify our needs - and most importantly
- MOVE NEW IDEAS INTO ACTION
 
I learned by doing – most of my projects taught me how to do the
next one.
 
Thirty years ago I was lucky enough to pioneer a 3-block roof garden
called Robson Square and the Law Court complex. It transformed
Vancouver and greened its future.
 
During the ‘80’s I was encouraged to apply these lessons to
designing Canada’s Chancery site in Washington, and in the ‘90’s to
Canada’s Embassy roof garden in Berlin.

McGill Convocation Address Continued . . .