Anne Whiston Spirn

Dear Dihua

I was so devasted to hear the news early this morning from one of my former Chinese students. The whole community of American landscape architects is in mourning.

To lose Kongjian now, in the prime of his life, is a great tragedy, not just to those who knew him as a friend, but to the world. He has changed and was continuing to change the world. And his ideas will continue to do so after his death.

My heart goes out to you, his dear friend and compatriot. I trust that you and your compatriots at PKU and Turenscape will continue his legacy.

My deepest condolences on this great loss.

Anne

Anne Whiston Spirn

Cecile and Ida Green Distinguished Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

今日清晨，我从一位中国学生处惊闻噩耗，不胜悲痛。整个美国景观设计界都为此陷入了沉痛的哀悼之中。

孔坚正值盛年，他的离世不仅对他的朋友，对整个世界来说，都是巨大的悲剧。他改变了世界，并且还在继续改变着世界。在他离世后，他的思想将继续影响着世界。

我向孔坚的挚友与同胞们致以最深切的慰问。我相信，你们以及他在北京大学和土人设计的同仁们，定能将他的宏伟事业传承下去。

对于这一巨大损失，我致以最沉痛的哀悼。

Anne Whiston Spirn

麻省理工学院 景观设计与规划系教授