In our era of isolation, few people truly understand their neighbors. The global pandemic has exacerbated this problem, forcing us into home isolation and social distancing. Therefore, we must seek new ways to reconnect and strengthen community.
The best approach is to seek inspiration from experts who have dedicated years to addressing such issues. One such expert is landscape architect and maverick thinker Martin Wren-Carnot.
As Martin Rein-Cano provokes
Martin Rein-Cano breaks stereotypes. Draw the lines in the children’s playground differently, so that the children do not know how to play and begin to communicate and negotiate. He plans a giant hole in China and says if you listen carefully, you can hear what people on the other side of the globe are saying. His projects surprise, shock, make you stop, think, communicate.
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Planting flowers in a bed – video instructions!When he presented his shocking projects at the Italian landscape festival, I realized that this is exactly the kind of inspiration Lithuania needs. After all, sometimes you don’t need an impressive budget if you have a good idea.
Therefore, this year the environmental design conference » Garden style» we have dedicated to the theme «Ideas are born here». Landscape professionals will share ideas for both urban landscaping and the hobbyist’s private backyard.
Meet Martin Rein-Cano, who will be attending the conference as a keynote speaker.
Who is Martin Rein-Cano
The globally recognized architect is known for his bold designs and has received many international awards and honors, including the «German Prize for Landscape Architecture» in 2015 for the landscape project at the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Lorsch Monastery in Germany; “Aga Khan Award for Architecture” in 2016 for the Superkilen project in Copenhagen; Qatar Sustainability Awards 2018 for the Novy Arbat project in Moscow. Martin Rein-Cano frequently gives talks at well-known universities like Harvard, and in cultural institutions, he often takes part in jury meetings for competitions. At the conference he will also show some of his projects in detail.” Garden style” in Lithuania to inspire new ideas and… bravery to challenge when making design.
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Transplanting peppers is a careful method without damaging the rootsInterestingly, Martin Rein-Cano hails from Argentina, has resided and worked in Berlin for many years, but has Lithuanian connections: his great-grandparents are from the Ignalina district.
He has more connections to Lithuania: Martin is part of the jury for the international competition to redesign the Vilnius railway station complex.
Martin Rein-Cano started an architecture and landscape firm in Berlin with like-minded individuals named TOPOTEK 1, and now you can see him in person.
Because this architect provokes
Martin Rein-Can’s professional eye is turned to urbanized spaces. He says the wave of modernism created a lot of order in cities: it separated pedestrians from cars, workplaces from living spaces. Cities became isolated, segregation increased, and we began to fear our neighbors.
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how a Soviet building turned into a cozy courtyardSeparation also did not bypass communities: different groups of people live in closed social circles, usually communicating only with people similar to them.
Martin Rein-Cano questions the established order: is living in isolation the best thing we can do?
One way to reduce segregation is to create spaces where people of different races, ethnic groups, and social backgrounds can intertwine in special ways. Community gardens can be an example of such intertwining. However, there are other design solutions that connect rather than divide. Such experiences create more trust and tolerance towards others: after all, we are afraid of what we don’t know.
Another method that Martin uses is not to deny the problem of exclusion, but rather to emphasize it and give it new forms. For example, when creating a public space project in one of Copenhagen’s conflict neighborhoods, Martin Rein-Cano installed a boxing ring. Conflict situations on the street are a crime, but when they are transferred to the ring they become a sport.
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“Garden Style”: Lithuanian identity in the environmentIf you can’t change the situation, change your perspective, says the architect.
Where ideas are born
You can hear even more of Martin Rein-Can’s crazy ideas at the Garden Style conference. The live broadcast of the conference will take place on September 25th. More information on www.gardenstyle.lt
Martin Rein-Cano will also lead a design workshop on September 26th. During it, the landscape architect will present strategies for creating gardens typical of certain historical eras (Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, etc.) and share ideas on how to apply them in creating a modern plot design. The design seminar will be broadcast live in English.
Conclusion
During periods of isolation and social distancing, the importance of community is more pronounced than ever. The global pandemic has not only limited physical interaction between people but has also revealed a sense of alienation that existed in many neighborhoods before the restrictions. Simply living next door does not automatically build meaningful relationships; in fact, modern lifestyles often exacerbate this disconnect. Therefore, rebuilding communities requires conscious action, creativity, and a willingness to rethink the function of shared spaces.
Isolation has highlighted the necessity of creating safe, informal environments for interaction. Front yards, community gardens, courtyards, and neighborhood green spaces are no longer merely decorative elements—they can become vital social bridges. Well-designed outdoor spaces can encourage relaxed conversations, shared activities, and a renewed sense of belonging. Even small design changes, such as adding seating areas, open views, or multi-functional green spaces, can subtly foster interaction while respecting personal boundaries.
The inspiration from experts like landscape architect Martin Reyn-Carnot reminds us that community building is not accidental. It is often the result of careful design that fully considers how people move, gather, and interact within spaces. Forward-thinking designers have challenged traditional planning models that prioritize privacy and isolation over interaction. They explore how landscape design can subtly encourage people to meet, creating opportunities for shared experiences without coercion.
Reconnecting doesn’t necessarily mean large events or crowded gatherings. It can start with simple actions: tending your front yard, participating in community beautification projects, or designing spaces that encourage neighbors to linger rather than rush by. In this way, landscape becomes a social catalyst, shaping not only the physical environment but also interpersonal relationships.
Ultimately, rebuilding communities during periods of isolation requires both awareness and action. By redesigning shared environments and drawing inspiration from forward-thinking designers, communities can evolve into more connected and resilient ones. Even after periods of social distancing have ended, thoughtful design and community engagement can help people transform isolation into a new sense of belonging and collaboration.
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