Local New Orleans Landscape Designer Explores Innovation in Chengdu, China

Beverly Katz of Exterior Designs Spends Labor Day with Architect Brother Larry Samuelson, AIA, and Explores Cross-Cultural Design Inspirations

New Orleans-based landscape designer Beverly Katz, owner of Exterior Designs, Inc., recently traveled to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, to visit her brother, architect Larry Samuelson, AIA. The trip provided a unique opportunity for Katz to immerse herself in the design and cultural landscape of Chengdu while learning about her brother’s latest modular housing projects.

Chengdu, a dynamic city known as the capital of China’s southwestern Sichuan province, is perhaps most famous for its flavorful cuisine, particularly the spicy Sichuan peppercorns that characterize its hot-pot dishes. The city is also home to the world-renowned Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base, which draws nearly 100,000 visitors annually. This expansive base, set amidst lush bamboo groves and natural habitats, is the only one of its kind located within an urban area, a perfect blend of nature and modern development.

During her visit, Katz toured Chengdu with her brother, who is currently advising Chinese developers and government officials on sustainable urban planning through modular design.

“Seeing Larry in his element, applying his expertise to such impactful projects, was inspiring,” says Katz.

Samuelson’s work focuses on addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization, including housing shortages and environmental pressures, by incorporating innovative, space-efficient modular construction techniques in housing, hotel and resort projects.

As Katz explored her brother’s projects, she found herself contributing her own expertise to the landscape aspects of his designs. Drawing on her knowledge of New Orleans courtyard design and compact spaces, she suggested landscape solutions that could be adapted to Chengdu’s growing urban environment.

“I was able to share ideas that maximized the use of limited space — an issue both Chengdu and New Orleans face,” explains Katz.

Her suggestions incorporated plants that thrive in tight spaces while adding beauty and functionality to modular housing developments.

For Katz, one of the highlights of her visit was discovering that many of the plants she regularly incorporates into her New Orleans designs have their origins in Asia.

“Sasanquas, camellias, nandinas and hollies — plants we use frequently in New Orleans — are all native to Asia. It was incredible to see them in their natural habitat,” she shares.

This firsthand experience of seeing familiar plants thriving in a different context gave Katz fresh insight into the global exchange of plant materials and how cultural landscapes influence one another.

Katz’s trip to Chengdu not only deepened her appreciation for the region’s rich history and vibrant culture but also sparked new ideas for integrating Eastern and Western design philosophies. As cities worldwide face the challenges of growing populations and urbanization, her cross-cultural exchange with her brother could lead to innovative solutions in both New Orleans and Chengdu.