AMERICAN
ILLINOIS CHAPTER | 2023
SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTSGreetings Fellow Landscape Architects and Friends,
2023 has been a year of big landscape architecture energy in Illinois. With the official end of the pandemic and licensure back on track, 2023 has provided us a pause and with that the opportunity to reflect, regroup, reengage, and to plan for the future. There’s a lot to be excited about.
It’s been exciting to see the profile of landscape architecture and public awareness of our profession continue to grow this year with the Department of Homeland Security’s official designation of landscape architecture a STEM discipline. And, love it or hate it, a “landscape architect” was even featured prominently in a Super Bowl commercial this year.
Locally, we’ve been back together in person for a number of engaging events and educational programs. It’s also been exciting and gratifying to hear our members hopes for the Chapter as we undertook our Strategic Plan update. Through the strategic planning process we engaged a broad range of our members with surveys, interviews, and working group discussions to talk about their vision for the future. As a result, the plan is full of stakeholder-supported goals, priorities, and initiatives that will guide our organization’s actions over the next three to five years to help ensure the big landscape architecture energy of this year endures and evolves. We look forward to sharing the plan with you this fall.
This year’s 25 Professional Awards, Student Awards, and Public Recognition Awards are an exciting representation of the energy and growth of landscape architects in Illinois and beyond. It’s always a thrill to see our members work lauded, and to have an opportunity to recognize our our partners in Illinois who do so much to positively support our profession and influence the landscape.
On behalf of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA), I would like to extend a big thank you to all of our committed members, volunteers, and sponsors. I would especially like to thank everyone who participated in our awards program this year. We heard many times in our stakeholder engagement that one of the biggest values ILASLA provides is a sense of community. That sense of community and the big, positive energy it creates simply could not exist without the participation and support of our committed membership.
Keep up the good work. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve as ILASLA President and I hope you will continue to work with ILASLA to grow and advocate for the best A+E profession, landscape architecture, in Illinois and beyond.
Sincerely,
Sarah White, PLA, ASLA
21
We are most grateful that 2022 brought us back on track. A handful of live events, online education, and the reinstatement of Illinois registrations made it feel like we had finally come home again. We thank our sponsors and members for their flexibility and partnerships.
14
INDUSTRY
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (AIA)
AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION (APA)
AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION (APWA)
ARCHITREASURES
BLACK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS NETWORK (BLACKLAN)
CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING (CMAP)
CHICAGO REGION TREES INITIATIVE (CRTI)
ILLINOIS GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (IGIA)
ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (ILCA)
ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM (IIT)
GREAT LAKES REGION CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE (IN COMBINATION WITH ASLA CHAPTERS)
MILLENNIUM PARK FOUNDATION (MPF)
OLMSTED 200
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM (UIUC)
The Presidential Award is given for an outstanding advancement of the landscape architecture profession, and for projects that exemplify the land stewardship ethics upon which the profession was founded. Only one President’s Award of Excellence may be given to a project in each entry category, and only when merited by the jury.
Projects are honored with this distinction for superior professional achievement. Only 20 percent of the entries in any of the categories may earn the Honor Award.
Projects that demonstrate merit in design and environmental responsibility shall be given this distinction. Any number of entries in any of the categories may be given the Merit Award.
Recognizes landscape architectural design that exemplifies the ideals and values of Jens Jensen. This category recognizes built or unbuilt projects that use native plants, employ ecological processes, reconnect people to the landscape, or contribute to the protection and management of natural resources. Only one award will be presented in this category annually.
The following categories were used to select this year’s award-winning landscape architecture projects. The jury evaluated projects with consideration for quality and functionality of the design; relationship to context and stated program; environmental responsibility; and relevance to the profession, the public, and the environment.
Recognizes constructed site-specific works of landscape architecture.
Recognizes site-specific, built works of landscape architecture for residential use, whether single or multi-family, new construction, or renovation.
Recognizes the wide variety of professional activities that lead to, guide, or evaluate landscape architectural design. Comprehensive plans, master plans, feasibility studies, and design guidelines and standards are examples of submittals for this category.
Recognizes the restoration and/or renovation of historically significant landscapes.
Recognizes achievements in communicating landscape architecture technology, theory, or practice to those within or outside the profession.
Recognizes academic excellence and outstanding examples of landscape architecture by Illinois undergraduate and graduate landscape architecture students. These awards honor works that represent the academic forefront of the profession of landscape architecture and embody high levels of creativity and imagination.
SITE TEAM
PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
site design group, ltd.
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture LLP
Bauer Latoza Studio
SPACECO, Inc.
WSP USA, Inc.
W.E. O’Neil Construction Co.
Quinn Evans Architects
SmithGroup
Studio Gang
McGuire Igleski Associates
Christopher Burke Engineering
TYLin
Jacobs
Sam Schwartz Engineering
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Chicago Neighborhoods Initiative
National Park Service
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
National Parks Foundation
National Parks Conservation Association
COMPLETION YEAR
2021
The Pullman National Historical Park is an architectural treasure of Chicago’s South Side. Building off of the 2015 Positioning Pullman vision, the Pullman National Historical Park Visitor Center and grounds rehabilitated the historic and iconic Pullman administrative building and factory grounds into a vibrant new public space. The site design features an interpretative landscape within The Front Lawn, an interpretive corridor in the historic rail Transfer Pit, where hardscape and planting palettes are designed around archaeological relics, and The Park, a flexible event and gathering space built around the historic footprint of the rear-erecting shops.
TEAM
Design Workshop
Environmental Design
International, Inc.
Speedy Gonzalez
Landscaping
Clauss Brothers, Inc.
Carol Naughton + Associates
Garza Karhoff Engineering, LLC.
Rubino Engineering, LLC.
Virtual Energy Solutions
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Chicago Park District
COMPLETION YEAR
2022
Chicago’s Parks are a monument to its civic values. Messaging of changing times is becoming perceptible as open spaces shift to express our society’s priorities and the space around public artworks begins to capture our societal drive towards an equitable future. Started by one person’s desire to heal a community impacted by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, AIDS Garden Chicago is set to transform and transcend into a legacy project through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
TEAM
Hoerr Schaudt
OMA
Powers Brown Architecture
IMEG Corp.
DBR Engineering Consultants
Harvey Builders
Ruppert
DotDash
MacRostie
MTWTF with Formation
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Houston, TX
CLIENT
Lovett Commercial
COMPLETION YEAR
2021
Skylawn at POST Houston is Texas’ largest rooftop park and the crowning jewel of the newly repositioned mixed-use community hub. Conceived as a collection of garden rooms, Skylawn celebrates the range of landscape typologies and ecologies endemic to the southeast Texas region. Skyfarm, the rooftop’s organic farm, is a model for the possibilities of rooftop soil growing and urban, community-supported agriculture. Skylawn provides the public with a new home base to gather and partake in educational events, wellness classes, and entertainment throughout the year set against the backdrop of Houston’s skyline.
THE CROWNING JEWEL OF THE NEWLY REPOSITIONED MIXED-USE COMMUNITY HUB.
DESIGN WORKSHOP
TEAM Design Workshop
CATEGORY Planning & Analysis
LOCATION
Urbana-Champaign, IL
CLIENT
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
COMPLETION YEAR 2022
Many land-grant universities face the question of acknowledging the 11 million acres of Indigenous land that was taken to build the university system. While most have formed committees or adopted a land acknowledgment statement, specific value-driven actions are needed to support their intent. The Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can serve as a model for universities across the United States by outlining a strategic project-based approach to recognize native communities in a tangible way, while also committing the campus to an ecologically resilient landscape that will strengthen the university’s position as a global leader.
COMMITTING THE CAMPUS TO AN ECOLOGICALLY RESILIENT LANDSCAPE.
OMNI ECOSYSTEMS
TEAM
Omni Ecosystems (Omni Workshop)
Bureau Gemmell
MAPS
dbHMA
Goodfriend Magruder
GEM Commercial, Inc.
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
4131 S. State Street Property, LLC
COMPLETION YEAR
2020
In the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, the 1920s Bowman Dairy bottling factory has been transformed into a biophilic headquarters. The 65,000 SF facility supports a diverse array of functions performed by its multidisciplinary team while communicating its brand as a leading green infrastructure and landscape architecture company. The adaptive reuse design includes an accessible green rooftop, offices, meeting rooms, indoor plant and material library, community coworking space, warehouse, and research laboratory. The biophilic design used throughout the interior and exterior spaces fulfills the company’s mission of a community-driven focus to reverse the decades of disinvestment experienced in the greater Bronzeville community.
LAMAR JOHNSON
COLLABORATIVE
TEAM
Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Wight Construction Services
Ava Grey Designs
Surface Construction
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Westside Health Authority
COMPLETION YEAR
2022
THE PARK WAS DESIGNED TO CATER TO ALL AGE GROUPS AND OFFER A VARIETY OF SPACES FOR MULTIPLE PROGRAMS.
POPGrove, the first completed plaza under the POP Program, is situated on bustling Madison Avenue and provides a tranquil haven for West Garfield Park residents. The park was designed to cater to all age groups and offer a variety of spaces for multiple programs, divided into three zones: Front Porch, Living Room, and Backyard. The project team carefully incorporated indigenous and pollinator-friendly vegetation, permeable materials, and an optimized tree canopy to create an oasis that promotes biodiversity and offers much-needed green space in the neighborhood.
TEAM MKSK, Inc.
Advanced Consulting Group Int’l Human Scale
Mauricio Ramirez
Chicago Department of Planning and Development
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Uptown United NeighborSpace
COMPLETION YEAR 2022
In Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, an increased demand for communal green space and access to locally grown foods was prompted following the pandemic in 2022, while an existing urban garden had become overgrown, underutilized, and no longer served community needs. Once a space dedicated to the black roots and communal heritage of the community, the garden was about to see rebirth as the freshly reimagined Winthrop Family Historical Garden was rededicated as a commemorative green space. Celebrating the neighborhood’s rich community legacy, the garden now provides a multi-functional space geared towards food production and education, gathering opportunities, markets, neighborhood events, and more.
TEAM
site design group, ltd.
Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates
Walsh FRS Design Group
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Golub Company
CMI Group
2022
The Tribune Tower is one of Chicago’s most treasured historic landmarks, located near the junction of the Chicago River and Upper Michigan Avenue. As the building was converted into luxury condominium units, the retail frontage of the original printing plant was redeveloped into retail flagship and boutique spaces, activating and reimagining the adjacent three-acre pedestrian thoroughfare — Pioneer Court — into a vibrant gathering space for residents and visitors. It was designed to celebrate and complement the rich architectural significance of the buildings while serving as a natural outdoor extension of the adjacent shops and a flexible gathering space for the public.
A VIBRANT GATHERING SPACE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.
TEAM
Confluence
Goettsch Partners
Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Environmental Systems Design
V3
Clark Construction Chicago, LLC
Twin Oaks Landscaping
OneLux Studio
Goby
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Riverside Investment & Development
Convexity Properties
2022
Located adjacent to Chicago Union Station’s Headhouse Building and Transit Center, as well as a new 50-story office tower, The Green at 320 is one of Chicago’s largest privately owned public parks. Constructed over the top of a parking garage, this 1.5-acre space is a verdant urban oasis for the office tenants and neighborhood and a welcoming destination for the adjacent commuter hub. The park is designed as a flexible central green surrounded by garden seating alcoves, an amphitheater, and outdoor dining — all heavily programmed with daily events and activities free to the public.
MERIT AWARD
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Salt Lake City, UT
CLIENT
University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics
COMPLETION YEAR
2021
REPRESENTS A NEW PARADIGM FOR REHABILITATION DESIGN.
The Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital at the University of Utah (UU) represents a new paradigm for rehabilitation design, one that prioritizes the empowerment of individual patients on their path to recovery. In designing the building and site, particular attention was paid to fostering patient well-being and harnessing the healing power of nature. Local materials were carefully selected to ground the building and its occupants in a strong sense of place, creating a transformative space for recovery.
TEAM
Hollander Design Landscape
Architects
Studio Gang
Hill West Architects
McNamara Salvia
Cosentini
Pine & Swallow
Hines, Inc.
Earthscape
Michaelis Boyd
CATEGORY
Residential Design
LOCATION
Brooklyn, NY
CLIENT
Tishman Speyer
COMPLETION YEAR
2021
AN ELEVATED GREEN PODIUM ANCHORED BY A RESIDENTIAL TOWER.
11 Hoyt is an important model for how even urban developments can play a part in restoring resources for pollinators by providing space where both nature and community can thrive. 11 Hoyt transforms its full-block site, formerly a parking garage, into an elevated green podium anchored by a residential tower. Visible from the street yet buffered from its activity, the podium’s 27,000 SF landscape supports the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings. A planting matrix focused on pollinators intentionally functions as a waystation for migrating birds and butterflies while encouraging neighbors to meet and interact among trees, gardens, and other amenities.
TEAM
Mariani Landscape
Northern Technologies, LLC
Hirsch Brick and Stone
StraightLine Design
A&L
Michels
Residential LOCATION
Detroit Lakes, MN
CLIENT
Private Residence
2020
This modern beach house retreat was designed as a multigenerational vacation home. The master plan developed by the landscape architects takes advantage of the property’s stunning lake views and provides comfortable gathering and play spaces for friends and family. Industrial styling paired with modern steel and glass openings creates a playful and casual vibe while providing open views to the main attraction — a crystal-clear lake ideally suited for boating and water sports. The extremely narrow site required extensive renovation, the result of successful collaboration with our building partners, whose thoughtful integration allowed the landscape to appear deceptively simple. A
TEAM
Mariani Landscape
dSPACE Studio
David Douglass Masonry
Post & Picket
Hammerwell Metal
Chicago Fountain
Lightscape
Advanced Irrigation
CATEGORY
Residential Design
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Private Residence
COMPLETION YEAR
2021
The design intent was to create an environment grounded by classical materials but detailed with whimsical touches offering a young family respite from the harsh urban environment. The landscape architect collaborated closely with the architect and interior design teams to seamlessly integrate the outdoor and inside spaces while staying true to the clients’ vision of creating engaging, fun spaces for their growing family. In the end, this multi-level project uses every inch of real estate to optimize and create spaces for entertaining, hanging out, outdoor cooking, and dining.
GROUNDED BY CLASSICAL MATERIALS BUT DETAILED WITH WHIMSICAL TOUCHES.
LAMAR JOHNSON COLLABORATIVE
TEAM Lamar Johnson Collaborative
CATEGORY Planning & Analysis
LOCATION Chicago, IL
CLIENT Kimberly Bares, President & CEO, Magnificent Mile Association
COMPLETION YEAR N/A
A VIBRANT, SAFE, AND INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE FOR CHICAGO RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS.
The M-Vision’s visionary plan seeks to transform Chicago’s Magnificent Mile into a world-class destination by leveraging the key themes of People, Place, Technology, and Experience. The plan focuses on re-envisioning from a commercial district to a mixed-use entertainment district. Current trends of declining in-person retail, tourism, and conflicting stakeholder interest posed challenges for the district. The new vision centers Mag Mile as a vibrant, safe, and interactive experience for Chicago residents and tourists.
SITE
TEAM
site design group, ltd.
Skidmore
Owings & Merrill
Borderless Studio
Latent Design
Territory NFP
Planning & Analysis
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)
2022
Adopted in 2022, the Western Avenue Corridor Study is a communitybased planning initiative to envision an equitable, long-term future for a five-mile section of North Western Avenue, from Addison Street to Howard Street in Chicago. The study was developed through a robust community-led process to guide development, transportation, mobility, and public-realm improvements along the corridor, with the goal of supporting a thriving, safe, and resilient Western Avenue that meets a range of community needs.
O2 DESIGN
TEAM
O2 Design
CATEGORY
Planning & Analysis
LOCATION
Sherrill, IA
CLIENT University of Dubuque
COMPLETION YEAR
2022
INSPIRED BY THE UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL SETTING WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS TOWARD THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Wolter Woods and Prairies is located on 160 acres of unglaciated land in northeast Iowa along the Mississippi River Bluff. The client acquired the land to develop an education and research center for environmental science to promote stewardship of nature and increase ecosystem biodiversity. The master planning efforts started with identifying the site’s natural resources and geological patterns. Inspired by the unique geological setting with panoramic views toward the Mississippi River, the plan strives to enhance the natural experience with sublime natural moments underscored by light design interventions and a minimal construction footprint.
PORT
TEAM PORT
Borderless Studio
Englewood Arts Collective
CATEGORY
Communications
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
COMPLETION YEAR
Ongoing
Created by the City of Chicago, INVEST South/West is an unprecedented community improvement initiative that seeks to strategically reverse decades of systemic public and private disinvestment in the city’s West and South Side neighborhoods. The City’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) commissioned Borderless Studio and PORT to create a community engagement campaign to guide a Public Art Vision Plan for each INVEST South/ West neighborhood. The artist-led campaign, titled Public Art Reimagining Tour with You (P.A.R.T.Y.), utilizes fun colors and graphics, approachable and accessible language, and consistent and recognizable branding to attract attention, increase awareness, and gather community input.
STRATEGICALLY REVERSING DECADES OF SYSTEMIC PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DISINVESTMENT WITHIN THE CITY’S WEST AND SOUTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS.
CRAIG BERGMANN LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC.
TEAM
Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc.
Liederbach & Graham
Architects
Greengard, Inc.
Masonry by Fernando PavTech,Inc.
Lightscapes, Inc.
Boilini Company
Buss Landscape Company
CATEGORY
Historic Landscapes
LOCATION
Lake Forest, IL
CLIENT
Craig Bergmann
Paul Klug
COMPLETION YEAR
2016 (and ongoing)
Originally designed by architect David Adler in 1917 for A. Watson and Elsa Armour, the Gardens at 900 are a sensitive renovation and re-interpretation of the original entry buildings and gardens. Functioning as a private residence and home to Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, Inc., the use of buildings and garden areas respects the history of the site while fostering creativity. Formal borders, a shade garden, an orchard, a new swimming pool garden, and a motor court constitute the garden today. A relatively young garden, The Gardens at 900 are an excellent example of how quickly a landscape can be transformed with the strategic placement of plant material and a focused, collaborative vision.
A SENSITIVE RENOVATION & RE-INTERPRETATION OF THE ORIGINAL ENTRY BUILDINGS & GARDENS.
SITE
TEAM
site design group, ltd.
Terra Engineering
Clauss Brothers, Inc.
Ecology + Vision
CATEGORY
General Design, Constructed
LOCATION
Chicago, IL
CLIENT
The Field Museum of Natural History
COMPLETION YEAR 2018
COMMUNITY-DRIVEN FOCUS TO REVERSE THE DECADES OF DISINVESTMENT.
The Field Museum of Natural History’s 2015 Landscape Masterplan expands the scope of the Museum’s mission by fostering growing community awareness of ecological processes, sustainable practices, and landscape restoration. The implementation of the vision creates a site that participates in larger ecological systems and landscape patterns within the Museum Campus, a network that has the potential to improve the overall ecological health of the City of Chicago’s lakefront and catalyze additional sustainable landscape design and management at the regional level. Phased site improvements are to facilitate pedestrian circulation, gatherings and special events, and learning opportunities outdoors.
Anne Tong
CATEGORY
Student Award, Undergraduate
This project proposes landscape design guidelines and policy recommendations that anticipate the arrival of the 17-year periodical cicada in 2024. Using a 2.25-mile-long stretch of Peterson Avenue in Chicago as a case study, the design will rethink standard urban elements such as sidewalks, parkways, rooftops, front lawns, backyards, and public parks in ways that preserve and enhance cicada habitat from 2024 onward. STUDENT HONOR
Anne Tong
CATEGORY
Student Award, Undergraduate
This is an 11-mile stretch on the flood-prone eastern bank of the Mississippi River, just across from Gateway Arch National Park. The development of an urban-scale riparian corridor design bolsters Illinois’ river cities against climate threats while interrogating social, cultural, and economic issues that have plagued the site’s adjacent communities and imagining potential remediation for those issues through storytelling.
Anne Tong
Student Award, Undergraduate
There are currently 77 neighborhoods in Chicago. This will be the 78th. The proposed project, 78 Flux Chicago, followed the geodesignbased approach to address environmental problems within the city of Chicago. The 62-acre site located along a half-mile of the riverfront will fuse new homes, commercial enterprises, cultural events, academia, and outdoor recreational space. The design aims to address how landscape infrastructures, ecological systems, and urban fabric respond to extreme circumstances, particularly flood and drought, which are increasingly common in the region.
TEAM
Johann Friedl
Krista Dawson
Nick Myers
CATEGORY
Student Award, Graduate
Lacustrine Forms is an independent study that constructs, conserves, and commemorates culture and ecology along Chicago’s southside lakefront. This project investigates how infrastructure can prevent future coastal erosion at Alfred Caldwell’s landscape of Promontory Point and create and support aquatic ecosystems. Lessons learned from the nearby Morgan Shoal offer educational opportunities to be built into public park programming and augment the most biodiverse region of Chicago’s coastline. Lacustrine Forms utilized independent research, interviews with design and marine specialists, physical wave modeling experiments, and material studies to inform three design prototypes that could be implemented.
STUDENT MERIT AWARD
As Director of Cultural and Natural Resources for the Chicago Park District for the past decade, Ms. Breitenbach directs the stewardship and maintenance of the Chicago Park District’s 8,200 acres of public parkland. In her role, she oversees the maintenance of the landscape at all parks and beaches, oversees forestry work to support an urban forest of over 200,000 trees, and leads ecological restoration, maintenance, and volunteer
coordination for over 1,200 acres of natural areas. Ms. Breitenbach also leads the Chicago Park District’s arts, culture, and nature programming and events. Prior to her service at the Park District, she had a profound effect on improving the health of the Chicago River as river liaison in Mayor Richard M. Daley’s office. Ms. Breitenbach holds a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture – Environmental Planning from the University of California, Berkely. Her work has significantly enhanced the public Iandscape of Illinois and improved day to day life for millions of Chicagoans.
Jeff Brink is Senior City Forester for the City of Chicago, Department of Transportation (CDOT), Division of Citywide Services, GreenStreets Program. Since its inception, the GreenStreets Program provides urban greening and beautification citywide. Greening efforts led by Mr. Brink provide thousands of seasonal floral displays, 5,000 parkway trees annually, and tree preservation through tree pit maintenance. As the director of the program, Brink’s goal is to create a more resilient urban forest for the Chicago’s present and long-term future resulting in countless value-added benefits for all Chicagoans. His responsibilities include the inspection, review, and oversight of all parkway trees planted through CDOT, review of all
The Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) is a partnership of communities, individuals, organizations, green industry, businesses, and governments working together to develop and implement strategies for a healthier, more diverse, more equitable urban forest by 2050. CRTI was established in 2014 by The Morton Arboretum following the first comprehensive tree census in the Chicago region, which revealed a regional forest facing multiple threats. Today, with more than 200 partners, it is the largest initiative of its kind in the
planned development landscaping, the design and installation of annual floral displays within hanging baskets and free-standing planters, and he serves as expert witness for tree litigation. In addition to his role at CDOT, Mr. Brink volunteers his time leading tree walks around city neighborhoods and forest preserves and is a popular guest lecturer in IIT’s Landscape Architecture studios. The Public Recognition Award Public recognizes individuals or organizations that have significantly enhanced the Illinois landscape or promoted the profession of Landscape Architecture in the State of Illinois. Mr. Brink has significantly enhanced the Illinois landscape and promoted the profession of Landscape Architecture in Illinois in his 27 years as an urban forester and as a committed partner to landscape architects in the City of Chicago.
country, with leading organizations and agencies from across the seven-county metropolitan region working together to build a healthier, more diverse, and more equitably distributed regional forest. CRTI is developing a groundbreaking standard that will be able to be replicated in other regions of the country. Through their work they are setting an environmental leadership and stewardship example for the Chicago region. The CRTI’s program has a significant positive impact on the health and wellness of the long-term Chicago landscape.
Susan Ragaishis, affiliate asla, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona, where she studied Theater Performance, Directing, and Art. After 10 years of professional theater, she changed her focus to nonprofit management and worked in administration for the Latino Institute, corporate development for Brookfield Zoo, and as a Regional Director for the American Cancer Society. She joined the Illinois Chapter ASLA in 2011 and works with the Executive Board and Committee Chairs to provide rich and meaningful experiences for members, advocate for the profession and engage allies for the chapter.
Sarah White, asla, currently serves as Campus Planner at Northwestern University. Prior to her role at Northwestern, Sarah served as Lakefront Planning Coordinator for the Chicago Park District and in planning and design roles at various firms in Chicago. Sarah is a proud alumnus of University of Wisconsin –Madison, where she earned a degree in landscape architecture. She also attended the University of Illinois at Chicago where she obtained a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy. Sarah lives in Chicago with her super-husband Wes and her super-son Benjamin.
Adam A. De Foor-White, asla, is a Senior Associate Landscape Architect at Omni Ecosystems. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a licensed Landscape Architect, Adam’s enthusiasm for sustainable design, attention to detail, and coordination skills prove to be very important in project management for a broad range of design projects. As an active member of ASLA, Adam has co-lead the Host Booth Sub Committee for the 2015 ASLA Annual Conference, served as Illinois Chapter Membership Chair / Student Outreach Coordinator (2017-2020), and is actively engaged in landscape architecture student presentation reviews and mentorship programs.
Kenon Boehm, asla, is the design department leader at Craig Bergmann Landscape Design. He earned his Master of Landscape Architecture at Texas A&M prior to his journey North to the Chicagoland area. His work has always brought a strong connection of design both in the office and in the field as he constantly looks for innovative solutions to challenging conditions. Past volunteer efforts as Education Chair within the chapter has led him to better understand the needs of the chapter as well as the volunteers that keep it functioning. These efforts also included presenting for LARE prep sessions; leading to continued additions of licensed landscape architects within the state. In addition to furthering the goals of past presidents, Kenon looks to continue in strengthening our profession through the cultivation of more fully licensed Landscape Architects and creating a broader understanding of our field at primary, intermediate, and secondary schooling levels.
Alan Watkins, asla, is an account representative with Clarence Davids & Company and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. He earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. His responsibilities at Clarence Davids & Company entail developing and maintaining business relationships with current and prospective clients, as well as managing landscape construction and landscape maintenance projects. He is actively involved in a variety of professional organizations. He served as President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2016, currently serves as the Chairperson of the University of Illinois Department of Landscape Architecture Resource Committee, and is also an active member in the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.
Cassandra Rice, asla, is a Landscape Architect and planner at Perkins & Will. Her work focuses on synthesizing environmental, economic, and cultural influences to create evidence-based, sustainable strategies. She is passionate about community-based design, aiming to create innovative and engaging participatory processes for all of her projects. Some of her recent projects include the Chicago River Design Guidelines, the Milwaukee Harbor District Design Guidelines, and the University of Chicago Laboratory School Master Plan. Prior to serving as the Chapter’s secretary, Cassandra served as the 20172019 Emerging Professionals Co-Chair and the 2015-2016 Awards Chair. She is also actively involved in the American Planning Association.
Sarah Dreier, asla, LEED Green Associate is a graduate of Iowa State University and is a Professional Landscape Architect in the states of Illinois and Indiana, with over fourteen years of experience. At JSD Professional Services, Inc., she contributes her ability to a wide range of planning and design projects throughout the office and is a proven thinker, collaborator and leader who works well with others and her experience with both public- and private-sector clients has yielded skills that facilitate an enriched project process. Sarah is an active member of the Illinois Chapter, leading a field session at the 2009 ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture, serving on the Awards Committee (20112015), was a team member for Host Booth Sub Committee at the 2015 Conference on Landscape Architecture, and acted as Celebration Co-Chair (2015-2020).
Stacey Libra, asla, is a co-owner and landscape architect at Indigo Ecological Design. She is a Professional Landscape Architect with a graduate degree in environmental science with a passion for creating beautiful, resilient spaces that are responsive to a changing climate, provide habitat for wildlife, and benefit the health and well-being of people.
Advocacy Chair: Mark Jirik, asla
Awards Co-Chairs: Jessie King, asla ; Zachary B.L. Rees, asla
Celebration+ Chair: Erin Trompeter, asla
Communications Co-Chairs: Jim Forrester, asla ; Sophia Essian, asla
Education Co-Chairs: Amanda Arnold, asla ; Anaìs Plàcido, asla
Emerging Professionals Co-Chairs: Samantha Sutton, affiliate asla ; April Pitts, asla
Events Chair: David Traphagen, affiliate asla
Fellows Nominations Chair: Susan Jacobson, fasla
HALS Representative Chair: Ken Horinko, asla
Membership Chair: Josh Bauman asla
Public Awareness Chair: Steve Gregory, asla
Social Media Chair: Cesar Gomez, associate asla
Webmaster: Tadhg Barlow, asla
Folio 2023 is an official publication of the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
This publication’s goal is to increase public awareness of landscape architecture as a profession and recognize the works of our profession that bring honor to us all. With this year’s issue, we offer our readers a glimpse of a number of unique projects that highlight the exemplary work of Illinois Landscape Architects.
The entire contents of this issue, including the plans, photographs, and all artwork are under copyright agreement with the Illinois Chapter ASLA and may not be copied or reproduced except as specified under contract with the Illinois Chapter ASLA.
To the best of our knowledge, all information at the time of publication is accurate. The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the publisher, the copywriter, the designer, and the production firm are not liable for omissions or errors.
ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
P.O. Box 4566
Oak Brook, Illinois 60522
630.833.4516
www.il-asla.org
2023 FOLIO COMMITTEE
Jim Forrester, asla
Sarah White, asla
Our team of Commercial Design Consultants are ready to support your next unit paving project from start to finish.
Combine our technical expertise with a vast array of Unilock colors, shapes and textures, to bring your unique vision to life.
Contact for samples, product information and Lunch & Learns.
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il-asla.org