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'In a gated community, nature is like a static painting.' At 74, she sold everything to live in a motorhome
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

'In a gated community, nature is like a static painting.' At 74, she sold everything to live in a motorhome

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

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  • At 74, renowned Argentine landscape designer Cristina Le Mehauté sold all her possessions to live in a motorhome and embrace nature.
  • Le Mehauté, a pioneer in Argentine landscaping, left a comfortable life, including clients like Alan Faena and Marley, to pursue her passion for nature and continue her work.
  • Her journey into landscaping began unexpectedly at age 8, inspired by her great-aunt's way of planting succulents, leading her to study architecture and biology before finding her true calling.

Cristina Le Mehauté, a celebrated figure in Argentine landscape design, has embarked on a radical new chapter at the age of 74. She has sold all her belongings, furniture, awards, and memories, to live in a custom-designed motorhome, affectionately named 'La Mecha,' and dedicate herself to the call of nature.

In a gated community, nature is like a static painting.

— Cristina Le MehautéLe Mehauté's reflection on the difference between nature in planned communities and the wild.

Le Mehauté, known for her pioneering work, bold use of color, and innovative designs, was a familiar presence at Casa FOA, a prestigious design exhibition. She designed for high-profile clients like Alan Faena and Marley, accumulating numerous awards and authoring the book "El paisajismo como expresión." Despite leaving behind a life of comfort and professional acclaim, she continues to work with greater flexibility, leads a training course for creators called "Anímese," and is writing her second book.

Her path to landscape design was unconventional. At eight years old, living in difficult circumstances with her mother, she visited her great-aunt Amelia. She was captivated by how Amelia meticulously planted succulents in cracked teacups, an act that, though simple, became her "inheritance." This early fascination with plants guided her academic choices. Initially studying architecture, she later switched to biology, finding it more complete.

I think that was my inheritance.

— Cristina Le MehautéLe Mehauté referring to the moment she saw her great-aunt planting succulents as a pivotal inspiration.

Her career in landscape design began organically. While working as a receptionist during her architecture studies, she noticed a neglected planter box at her workplace. With permission, she transformed it, impressing the director so much that he asked her to design the entire patio. This led her to use tools from a nearby construction site, breaking up the ground and beginning her hands-on journey into transforming spaces. Le Mehauté's decision to live in a motorhome signifies a profound commitment to experiencing nature directly, viewing it as a dynamic force rather than a static backdrop.

Dare.

— Cristina Le MehautéThe name of her training course for creators, reflecting her philosophy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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