Derek Hoeferlin Releases Book on Three Major Watersheds, Panel and Workshop at Pulitzer Arts Foundation April 3

Derek Hoeferlin, associate professor and chair of landscape architecture & urban design, released his book “Way Beyond Bigness: The Need for a Watershed Architecture” this month.

His first book, “Way Beyond Bigness” is a design-research project that studies the Mekong, Mississippi, and Rhine river basins. “I grew up in St. Louis and spent a lot of time in New Orleans, so I have a connection to the Mississippi.” says Hoeferlin. “It is important to understand complex infrastructural and climate change-based challenges in a comparative context with other global river basins, particularly the Mekong and Rhine, where I have long-standing academic, professional, and personal connections.”

The book repositions both meanings of the word “watershed” by providing an understanding of designing with water to integrate with the built environment, as well as by keeping contemporary tipping point events top of mind. The three rivers were studied in-depth by Hoeferlin via multiple field-research trips over the last 15 years, along with WashU research assistants and students.

Drawing on Hoeferlin’s field work, community-based collaborations, and design-research, the book proposes a three-part methodology, which he defines as “Watershed Architecture.” “Appreciate + Analyze” chronicles ecological and infrastructural transformation of the river basins through Hoeferlin’s multi-scaled, comprehensive atlases and photography, as well as guest essays from a multi-disciplinary group of experts conducting work in each river basin. “Speculate + Synthesize” aims to start discussions and nurture big ideas through a series of trans-boundary speculative design-futures. Finally, “Collaborate + Catalyze” inviting a variety of perspectives through innovative community-engaged projects and venues.

At its core, the project is “an examination of our relationship to forms of power — particularly water — and what it means to live collectively in a watershed,” said Hoeferlin.

Hoeferlin and Kotchakorn Voraakhom, Sam Fox School designer-in-residence, will host an interactive panel and workshop on global challenges across these river basins April 3, 6-8 p.m., at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.