James Hubbell’s vision for bringing together architecture students from various countries to design and build parks throughout the Pacific is pure genius. The first Pacific Rim Park was in Russia with students from Russia, Mexico, and the United States participating. I was privileged to be a part of the park projects built in Russia, China, and San Diego.

I have witnessed James’s steadfastness, untiring dedication, and his ability to overcome unbelievable obstacles in raising funds, working with governmental bureaucracies, and seeing the completion of the parks in a very short time period.
In the design and building of these parks James magically brings together the creative designs and ideas of each of the students involved. As a practitioner of organic architecture, he has always used the local materials which make each park unique for that particular area of the world.

Students quickly bonded in each park project.
Even though the countries that the students represented often had a history of conflict, the students became true friends and moved past the prejudices or stereotypes that their governments may have held regarding the other countries.

James would often say, “Let’s see how we can create our future together.”
Certainly, this is an idea whose time has come! These parks stand as living symbols of what talented young people can do in the spirit of creativity, fun, and a deep appreciation for one another. Each park came about because James is a visionary with extraordinary aesthetic and artistic abilities and abundant persistence. James has opened an amazing portal in human consciousness which inspires us all to live in beauty and love one another.

—Lowell Strombeck

PHOTO: From left to right; Lowell Strombeck, James Hubbell, Professor Gennady Turmov, Sergio Lub, and Melinko Matanovic: Courtesy Ilan-Lael Foundation