FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
American Society of Landscape Architects, New York
Diane Sferrazza Katz, Executive Director
212-269-2984
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, NEW YORK (ASLA-NY) ANNOUNCES 2020 DESIGN AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Annual Program Recognizes Excellence in the Practice of Landscape Architecture
New York, New York (March 12, 2020) – The American Society of Landscape Architects, New York (ASLA-NY), the New York chapter of the national professional organization representing landscape architects, today announced the recipients of the Chapter’s 2020 Design Awards. Organized by the ASLA-NY Chapter Awards Committee, the Design Awards bolster local visibility, acknowledge and promote the work of the Chapter’s membership, and publicly recognize excellence in the practice of landscape architecture.
The winning projects exemplify design excellence with a focus on resilient design strategies and innovative use of materials to provide effective solutions to challenging sites. Another highlight of several projects is the inclusion of community, who were engaged from the beginning and involved throughout the design process resulting in high quality public places that put the users first. All projects demonstrate the wide spectrum of work, which landscape architects are leading, that address environmental and social issues while elevating the quality of life for users. ASLA-NY Awards Committee Co-chair, Nicholas Pettinati comments, “Clearly these winning submissions are a reflection on how diverse and exciting the practice is in New York and the amazing quality of projects being led and designed by NY-based firms.”
Southwest Park, designed by Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners is one such project that blurs the lines between high-functioning, resilient design and participatory community planning to create a beautiful civic amenity that has a transformative impact on nearby communities. The jury was especially appreciative of the landscape architect’s role on every aspect of the design, from visioning to grant funding to collaborative team management. It was the “landscape architect’s leadership role that was the deciding factor for this award.” Starr Whitehouse is the recipient of four awards this year.
BQ-Park, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, illustrates turning the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) into a park while still accommodating significant vehicle flows along the route. According to the submission description, this project entailed significant public outreach with community groups, elected officials, city, and state agencies and included over 50 public meetings and workshops. The jury commented, “This is a good project for foregrounding the leadership role of landscape architects. Ultimately, this project sets a high bar for the project, and for landscape architects as leaders.”
Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects won an honor award for The Peabody Essex Museum Garden, a project that celebrates the spirit of curiosity, discovery of its origins and the character of its collection – dynamic works across cultures, eras, and genres. The jury commented on the “elegant and whimsical” fountain design that offers “sinuous and mysterious” space. The jury was impressed by the “enchanting diagrams and unified details carried out through the entire site.”
Peabody Essex Museum Garden, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
Chelsea Green, designed by NYC Parks, converted an abandoned sanitation building and vacant lot into a vibrant community space. The park provides an oasis from the busy street life of Chelsea and fits multiple activities into an 11,000 sf footprint that exceeds accessibility requirements and fosters intergenerational interaction. The jury remarked, “The park clearly adds much value to the community and strong community outreach is evident.”
Since its opening in 2009, the High Line has become one of the most popular destinations in New York City. The park’s unique setting, rising 30 feet above street level, offers a view into NYC like no other city park. However, with the setting comes exceptional challenges of maintenance unmatched by other city parks. The High Line Phases 1 and 2 Operations and Maintenance Analysis, developed by ETM Associates, LLC, addresses the complexities of maintaining an elevated, narrow public park that serves as a framework for continued success. “It is critically important to recognize such work,” commented the jury, “this submission offers a helpful look behind the curtain to see the demands of a high profile, performance landscape.”
St Augustine Terrace, Terrain NYC Landscape Architecture PC
St. Augustine Terrace in the Bronx, designed by Terrain NYC Landscape Architecture shows a strong expression of landform and geology in a residential setting through a very clear and exciting entry sequence. The jury was most impressed by the role of the landscape architect as being key in placement of building and how the designer “skillfully addresses accessibility on a challenging topography.”
Juried by an interdisciplinary team comprised of members of the Potomac chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, this year’s entries recognize 5 Honor awards and 17 Merit awards. The 2020 Design Awards will be presented at the ASLA-NY Design Awards Ceremony and Reception on April 15 at 6:00 pm, at the Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place in Manhattan. The event is sponsored by Platinum sponsor Victor Stanley and Supporting sponsor Maglin. The projects will be on exhibit at the Center for Architecture through the month of April in celebration of World Landscape Architecture Month. For more information please go to aslany.org.
2020 ASLA-NY Honor Award Recipients:
Chelsea Green, NYC Parks
Highbridge Anchor Park Master Plan, MKW+Associates, LLC
Peabody Essex Museum Garden, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects
Southwest Park, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners
St Augustine Terrace, Terrain NYC Landscape Architecture PC
2020 ASLA-NY Merit Award Recipients:
A Vision for a Resilient East Harlem, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners
Albany Skyway, Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
BQ-Park, Bjarke Ingels Group
Cornell Tech Campus, James Corner Field Operations
East 92nd Street Bonus Plaza and Terraces, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners
East Lake Residence, LaGuardia Design Group Landscape Architecture PC
Estella Diggs Park, Nancy Owens Studio Landscape Architecture + Urban Design PLLC
Lenox Hill House, Steven Yavanian Landscape Architecture
Midtown Center Plaza, SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC
Modernist Garden at New York Botanical Gardens Brazilian Modern, Raymond Jungles, Inc.
Plaza Life Revisited, SWA/Balsley
Public Square, James Corner Field Operations
Reconstruction of 9th Avenue – Gansevoort Area, Ken Smith Workshop
Riverfront Retreat, Renee Byers Landscape Architect, P.C.
The Battery PlayScape, Starr Whitehouse Landscape Architects and Planners
The High Line Phases 1 and 2 Operations and Maintenance Analysis, ETM Associates, LLC
Tidal Pool at Roberto Clemente State Park, MNLA
About the American Society of Landscape Architects, New York Chapter:
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association for landscape architects. Founded in 1899, the association represents over 15,000 members and features 49 professional chapters and 76 student chapters. The New York Chapter, founded in 1914, encompasses the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, and Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Rockland counties. The Society’s mission is to lead in the planning, design and care of both our natural and built environments. While keeping pace with the ever-changing forces of nature and technology, landscape architects increasingly have a profound impact on the way people live, work and play.