Announcing the opening of submissions to the 2022 AZ Awards!

The AZ AWARDS is AZURE’s international design competition recognizing the world’s best projects, products and ideas. The AZ Awards is acknowledged for its influence and significance within the global design and architecture sphere and is a unique opportunity for architects and designers to receive the international exposure and acknowledgment that their exceptional work deserves. Entries are juried by a panel of internationally renowned practitioners in the areas of product design, architecture, landscape architecture and interiors.

The 12th edition of AZURE Magazine’s international architecture and design competition, the AZ Awards, is now open for submissions!

Winners will be revealed on June 24, 2022. All winners and shortlisted projects are published in the AZ Awards Annual – AZURE’s July/August issue – and featured on AZURE’s and AZ Awards media partners’ digital and social channels.

You can find out more about the AZ Awards and our past jurors, winners and finalists here.

The AZ Awards is open to:

• Architects

• Interior Designers

• Landscape Architects

• Urban Designers

• Developers

• Product Designers

• Industrial Designers

• Experiential Graphic Designers

• Product Manufacturers

• Students in design-related disciplines

Early Bird Deadline: January 31, 2022

Final Submission Deadline: February 25, 2022

Service Opportunity! Join the Portland Urban Forestry Commission

Portland’s Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) is seeking new members. They have three openings beginning in March 2022. The UFC is comprised of 11 volunteers who demonstrate an interest in the preservation and expansion of Portland’s urban forest. Commissioners attend the monthly UFC meeting on the third Thursday morning of each month and serve on at least one UFC committee.

The Commission primarily advises the City Forester, the Parks Director, and City Council in the development of policies, plans, regulations, and budgets pertaining to trees in the city. The work ranges from specific site issues, park masterplan review, tree fund usage, and policy development and review. Landscape architects bring a valuable viewpoint, and that service brings visibility to the profession.

Interested in learning more? Please contact UFC member Gregg Everhart, ASLA at 503-235-1815. Applications are due November 30, 2021.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We're at the beginning stages of planning for the 2022 ASLA Oregon Design Symposium and we would love to have you join us! We're looking for people who like to think deeply about our profession and have a keen interest in helping us learn how to better lead the conversation around the natural and built environments

If this piques your interest, are looking for a way to get more involved in our chapter, or you've just been waiting for an opportunity to flex those organizational and event planning muscles, please send an email to Andrew Schneider at vpchaperservices@aslaoregon.org

Volunteer Opportunity

The Diversity in Design collaborative (DID) is a group of companies and industry partners that recognize that diversity is our greatest creative advantage. Their central area of focus as they launch is to address the lack of Black creatives in design through education, internships, and career support. As part of this effort, they are looking for mentors across the design professions to be mentors. If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to Sun Joo Kim at sunjoo.kim@diversityindesignpdx.org and she can give you more information.

2021 ASLA Student Honor & Merit Awards

Join us in celebrating this year's student award recipients!

We’d like to extend a special thank you to this year's jury: Charlie Brucker, Chelsea Schneider, Katherine Sheie, and Jeffrey M. Luers, who volunteered their time, and expertise to review student work, this event is made possible by your caring involvement! 

The ASLA Student Honor and Merit Award Program, administered through the ASLA chapters, is a collaborative effort between chapters and landscape architecture programs. The awards recognize academic achievement, design competence, and interpersonal skills, and are distributed to outstanding students in programs across the country.

The number of awards are based on the size of the academic program. At the University of Oregon, the faculty nominates two BLA students and two MLA students each year. Our nominees were recognized by the University of Oregon faculty as truly outstanding students for their scholarship, excellence in design, and service to the department. This recognition is worthy of honor and congratulations.

The Oregon Chapter of ASLA and the Department of Landscape Architecture virtually convened a jury of ASLA members to hear 20-minute presentations from student nominees. After hearing the presentations, the jury deliberated their decision based on the following criteria:

• Design Excellence

• Outstanding Mentorship & Leadership

• Potential for Future Professional Impact

We are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s awards: 

• Isabella Ospina, Undergraduate Honor Award

• Nancy Silvers, Undergraduate Merit Award

• Aaron Woolverton, Graduate Honor Award

• Heather Tietz, Graduate Merit Award

It is a great honor to celebrate and lend support to emergent professionals. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate these emergent Landscape Architects' work, and their overall excellence on our social media accounts: Instagram and Facebook.

---

Congratulations to Aarron, our 2021 Graduate Honor Award Recipient! Enjoy a bit about them and a taste of their work!

Aaron is a graduate of the University of Oregon's Landscape Architecture program. With a bachelor's in Architecture from Drexel University, Aaron has an interest in the intersection between built infrastructures and the environment. His current research involves understanding complex ecosystem dynamics through dynamic mapping, environmental sensing, and developing interoperability between design platforms and environmental modeling software. 

Featured project: Instant Cities, a community oriented studio in Venita, OR and Masters Project - Algae as Agents

---

Congratulations to Heather, our 2021 Graduate Merit Award Recipient! Enjoy a bit about them and a taste of their work!

Heather enjoys considering hybrid artistic approaches to design in landscape architecture. Tietz is interested in identifying emerging ways to integrate biota into the built environment to enhance ecological cycles and human health. She values learning about different cultures to create contextual design work and looks forward to designing with equity through inclusive design approaches.

Featured project: 

Oregon Sequence at Coos Bay and Masters Project - Foreground for Mosses: Designing 3D Printed Clay Bryobricks to Enhance the Built Environment

---

Congratulations to Izzy, our 2021 Undergraduate Honor Award Recipient! 

Enjoy a bit about them and a taste of their work!

Izzy is a landscape designer and artist passionate about bringing cultures and histories to life. Their design work at the University of Oregon has been centered around spatial justice, empowering communities through collaborative design processes. She is interested in playful designs of all scales that engage our senses and imagination of time and space. In making her designs feel welcome and inclusive to a diverse range of people, she also acknowledges the history of violence and displacement many landscapes are associated with.  In her free time, she likes going to the movies, draws with her feet, and cooks experimental foods. 

Featured project: Eco Parque Quindio: Re-envisioning Tourism in Columbia

---

Congratulations to Nancy, our 2021 Undergraduate Merit Award Recipient!

Enjoy a bit about them and a taste of their work!

Nancy is an interdisciplinary artist working primarily in textiles, painting, and garden design. She received a Bachelor’s of Landscape Architecture through the UO. Working with materials that range in scale from a single thread to acres of gardens, Nancy seeks opportunities to explore and convey ideas surrounding identity and ecology. Nancy has been the head gardener for a 175-acre estate for 13 years. The property is situated in the woodland urban interface of south Eugene and she continues to witness, study, and advocate for maintenance practices that will respond to the changing landscape in the area.

Featured Project: Oregon Sequence at Coos Bay Harbor and An exploration of beaver habitat and hydrologic systems.

ASLA Oregon Envisions the Future at Riverbend Park

The High Desert Section of ASLA Oregon in partnership with Bend Park and Recreation District (BPRD) hosted a design workshop to study projects proposed in Riverbend Park as part of the Draft Deschutes River Access and Habitat Restoration Plan. A team of nine designers joined staff from BPRD along with some of their community stakeholders at Riverbend Park in Bend July 23rd and 24th  for the event.

River recreation in Bend city limits became legal 15 years ago. Over the years, river use has grown in popularity and a recent survey indicated improved river access as a top need among Bend residents. For the past two years BPRD has been developing a plan to prioritize projects for river access and habitat restoration. Once adopted the plan will have an approximate ten-year implementation timeframe. The plan will address resident’s and visitor’s desire to recreate in the river, as well as improve riparian habitat along the river’s edge. 

Riverbend Park was developed in 2009 as a main river access point. Today it is one of the busiest and most active parks in the district. The plan proposes two high priority projects in Riverbend Park:

1. Improve beach accessibility, including the addition of an accessible non-motorized watercraft launch

2. Provide off-leash dog river access

The workshop kicked off with a presentation by Pat Addabbo of Oregon Adaptive Sports and Ashley Schaffer of Empowering Access on Improving River Access through Universal Design. Participants then walked the site to discuss opportunities and constraints on the property. Community stakeholders, including Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and DogPAC, participated. They helped provide additional context to the workshop, touching on history and information about the needs of specific user groups. The designers explored the feasibility of locating both an accessible watercraft launch and off-leash dog river access. Their ideas will help BPRD with decision making about future projects at Riverbend Park and will be logged as part of the public outreach on the Draft Deschutes River Access and Restoration Plan, which is happening through August 20, 2021. Bend Park and Recreation District is very appreciative of the contribution of both time and ideas from the designers and ASLA Oregon.

ASLA Participants: Anna Arbetter (Futurity), Brian Nierman (SZABO Landscape Architecture), Chelsea Schneider (LOCI Studio), Christine Ransom (SZABO Landscape Architecture, High Desert Section Co-Chair), Dan Jenkins (SERA Architects), Ethan Gefroh (Cameron McCarthy) Jennifer D’Avanzo (GreenWorks, PC), Mike Faha (GreenWorks, PC), and Mike Szabo (SZABO Landscape Architecture)

BPRD Participants:Bronwen Mastro (High Desert Section Co-Chair), Jason Powell, Kelsey Schwartz, Rachel Colton, and Sarah Bodo

Emerging Professionals Workshop: Now Live on YouTube!

Emerging Professionals Workshop: Native Planting Design is now live on youtube. Check out the link below if you are interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyI-qx5WgqI

2021 Call for Nominations

It’s that time of year again! Oregon ASLA is seeking nominees to serve on our Executive Committee. Elections will occur in July and August and the results will be announced in mid-September. ExCom members transition into their new roles after the elections and officially begin their term of office at the end of November, after the ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO in Nashville.

Nominate yourself, a colleague, an old classmate, a mentor – anyone you think would be an excellent advocate for landscape architecture and would push Oregon ASLA to the next level:

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE!

We’re looking for individuals to lead and inspire our members and help bring our community of professionals together.

ASLA Full and Associate members can nominate individuals for the following open positions on our Executive Committee:

• President-Elect: First year of a three-year commitment on the Executive Committee. One of the primary purposes of the office of president-elect is to provide the opportunity to become familiar with current chapter programs, budget and operations. The term of the president-elect is also used for planning and transition. Becomes President in the second year and Immediate Past President in the third year. Must be a Full Member of ASLA.

• Treasurer: Two-year term. Supported by the Chapter Administrator, the Treasurer collects all fees, dues and other funds due to the Chapter; tracks and accounts for Chapter cash flow; and prepares and presents required financial reporting. The Treasurer is also the Chapter’s primary Sponsorship coordinator. Must be an Associate or a Full Member of ASLA.

• Communications Chair: Two-year term. The Communications Chair is responsible for managing and updating the Chapter website, Google suite, electronic newsletter, survey and balloting mechanisms. Supports and facilitates public relations and social media activities. Must be an Associate or a Full Member of ASLA.

• Vice President of Member Services: Two-year term. The primary purpose of this office is to support members to maintain their membership status; track and report on membership to National ASLA; and lead significant chapter events, including the annual Design Awards. Must be a Full Member of ASLA.

• Emerging Professionals Chair: Two-year term. The primary responsibility of the Emerging Professional Chair is to facilitate social, educational and career development activities to support emerging professionals as they grow their careers. Must be an Associate or a Full Member of ASLA.

• Willamette Valley Section Chair: Two-year term. The Willamette Valley Section Chair represents membership in the central and lower Willamette Valley region on the Executive Committee and plans/executes educational and social events for members. Must be an Associate or a Full Member of ASLA.

Interested in running for office but want to learn more about the job? Please contact Melissa Erikson at presidentelect@aslaoregon.org.

Don’t delay! Nominations open now and close at midnight on June 1, 2021.

The Urbanism Next Virtual Forum is back March 17-19, 2021!

The forum will focus on the ways that new mobility, mobility as a service, e-commerce and urban delivery, and autonomous vehicles impact land use, urban design, building design, transportation, and real estate, all in the face of unprecedented change. How have the events of 2020 changed how we think about the opportunities and challenges related to these technologies?

The Urbanism Next Virtual Forum is a collaboration between the University of Oregon and NUMO, the National and Oregon Chapters of the American Planning Association, the National and Oregon Chapters of the American Institute of Architects, the Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the National and Northwest Chapters of the Urban Land Institute. Visit the Urbanism Next website to register for the Virtual Forum. Early registration is available through February 16, 2021. Register now to save!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Looking for Portfolio Jam reviewers for UO Student Event!

Portfolio Jam is an opportunity for students to get critical feedback on their portfolio and advice on standing out as an intern or job applicant. This is a highly anticipated event and we still need several volunteers to help review student portfolio's between 6-7:30 PM on Wednesday, Feb 10.

Please contact Taylor Bowden if you are interested or want to learn more.

Mt. Hood Section News: Survey

If you are a member of the Mt. Hood Section of Oregon ASLA, please follow the link below to fill out a brief survey to help plan the events for 2021

Click here to take survey

2021 ASLA Oregon Student Honor + Merit Awards are in process!

The ASLA student Honor and Merit award program, administered through the ASLA chapters, is a collaborative effort between chapters and landscape architecture programs. The awards recognize academic achievement, design competence, and interpersonal skills, and are distributed to outstanding students in programs across the country.

This spring, the Oregon Chapter of ASLA and the University of Oregon’s Department of Landscape Architecture are convening a jury of ASLA members to hear 20-minute virtual presentations from each of the four student nominees and select the winners. UO LA and ASLA Oregon will present the awards in person at ASLA Oregon’s Annual Awards Soiree.

Stay tuned for more to come!

Save the Date: 2021 ASLA Oregon Design Symposium

We are pleased to announce that the 2021 Design Symposium will be held virtually on April 9th and 10th this year.

More information coming soon!

Save the Date: UO's Shadow Mentor Day will be held virtually this year on Friday, February 26!

The University of Oregon ASLA Student Chapter is pleased to announce the twenty-eighth annual Shadow Mentor Day on Friday, February 26th.

For one day, students experience the working world of landscape architecture by spending a day with professionals. This event serves as a mutual learning experience made possible by the support of professionals like you.

Shadow Mentor Day is an event led by the UO ASLA Student Chapter for UO students in the BLA or MLA program at UO to preview the work environment and career opportunities they will navigate as emerging professionals after graduation. We are committed to retaining this invaluable student tradition by transitioning to an online format.

2020 Professional Award Winner

Portland Japanese Garden has been recognized by the National American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) with the Award of Excellence for the Cultural Crossing Project. This is the highest honor of ASLA’s professional design awards program, where each year, submissions are made by the best in landscape architecture from around the globe.

The Cultural Crossing Project’s landscape architects, Walker Macy and Portland Japanese Garden, led by Garden Curator, Sadafumi Uchiyama, worked together within a highly collaborative, multicultural, and multidisciplinary team that included Kengo Kuma Associates, Hacker Architects, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Hoffman Construction, and a team of skilled landscape and gardening craftspeople. The Award of Excellence recognizes the project’s beautifully executed details; the team’s cohesive, place-based and landscape-led design approach; the interweaving of design excellence and technical problem-solving; and the team’s articulate balance between traditional Japanese and contemporary design and construction methodologies.

To learn more about the project visit the ASLA website at: Cultural Crossing Transforms Portland Japanese Garden into a Place of Cultural Dialogue.

2020 ASLA Student Award Winner

We are thrilled to celebrate the excellence of University of Oregon, MLA graduate Deanna Lynn. Lynn received an ASLA National Honor Award in Student Research for her masters project ‘Landscape Design for Carbon Sequestration’. Lynn’s work is beautifully crafted, inspiring and a timely contribution to the field. 

The jury commended Lynn’s work noting, “...this project filled an important gap in the existing research on carbon sequestration—namely, the potential use of soil to proactively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. With the goal of providing a template for climate-positive design through improved soil health, this study proposes strategies to increase biodiversity with layers of plants.” Sincere congratulations to Deanna Lynn and the UO Department of Landscape Architecture!

To learn more about Lynn’s project visit the ASLA website at: Landscape Design for Carbon Sequestration Honor Award Research. Additionally, the work will be available in the September Issue of LA Magazine and on Issue.