News related to Landscape Architecture

The Landscape Architecture Foundation’s Olmsted Scholars Program (named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture) recognizes and supports students with exceptional leadership potential who are using ideas, influence, communication, service, and leadership to advance sustainable design and foster human and societal benefits.  

The Landscape Architecture program, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph is proud to announce the following students are named as 2015 University Olmsted Scholars:

Professor Cecelia Paine was honoured during the 2015 Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) Congress Gala in Mexico in May.  Cecelia is the recent past president of the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation (LACF) and was presented with the LACF Recognition Certificate in honour for her almost 30 years on the LACF Board. In 1987, Cecelia was chair of the task force charged with establishing the framework for rejuvenating and renaming the foundation.

This year the University of Guelph Alumni Association will recognize four exceptional alumni for their outstanding achievements and commitment to excellence on Alumni Weekend, for the Alumni Awards of Excellence Gala on June 12, 2015.  The evening will feature a gala dinner, awards presentation, silent auction, and much more!

Larry Harder, Professor in Landscape Architecture at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development hopes to address issues occurring in unofficial Syrian refugee camps across Lebanon through a locally initiated project that he is participating in. From May 22 to May 30 he will work with 50 other landscape architecture students and professors from across the world to address issues being faced in a specific camp in the Bekaa Valley, called Talyani. Talyani is near the Lebanese town of Bar Elias, which is about 10km from the Syrian border.

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture alumni capture top prizes in the 'Lost Spaces 2015 Ideas Competition' through Design Talks Institute. The competition calls for alternatives to improving the use, public realm and ecological value of lost space in Calgary, Alberta.  

Jamal Nureddin (BLA '14) and Nadja Pausch (BLA '15) teamed forces with their submission titled "Pollen-Nation: Vacant Lots + Lost Spaces // Social & Ecological Catalyst" which responds to several vacant areas in Calgary and captured the top Parks Field Prize.  

Graduate Students Hosted 2nd Annual SEDRD Conference

As a unique interdisciplinary department at the University of Guelph, the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) brings together rural studies, landscape architecture, planning, and capacity development to look at rural development from various angles. Last year, the SEDRD annual conference served as a forum for student researchers from the four above-mentioned programs to present research, foster connections, and exchange ideas. The success of last year’s conference was repeated and topped this year.

Nathan Perkins, Professor in Landscape Architecture in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development says "participatory design is essential when creating outdoor environments that inspire physical and mental health". Outdoor spaces influence our health and well-being.  The article is featured in the At Guelph.

Congratulations to the following University of Guelph landscape architecture students who are recipients of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Student Awards for 2015.  These awards recognize excellence in the study of landscape architecture and skills related to the art and technology of landscape architecture.

ASLA Student Honor Awards:

Jonathan Behnke, BLA
Nadja Pausch, BLA
Daniella Favero, BLA
Ku Wing (Bryan) Chao, MLA

Landscape Architects Network interviews Nadia Amoroso, an Adjunct Professor in Landscape Architecture at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development.  Nadia talks about her work in GeoDesign and landscape representation with LAN writer and UofG alumnus, Michelle Biggs.    

See article in Landscape Architects Network.