April 5, 2006

Design Detailings: Grant Jones joins an ‘elite group'

Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects principal Grant Jones has received the Honor Society of Sigma Lambda Alpha's distinguished member award, in recognition of outstanding scholarship in landscape architecture.

Jones won the award "because of his continued high quality contributions to the scholarship of landscape architecture and the outstanding quality of design work that he has brought to the profession," said chapter president Bernie Dahl. "Jones joins an elite group of individuals spanning the years going back to the organization of the profession."

The award was presented at the annual meeting of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture in Athens, Ga.

Firms to work on Toronto waterfront

The Portland landscape architecture firm Walker Macy has been selected to participate in an international design competition for Toronto's central waterfront.

The Foster & Partners Atelier Dreiseitl team, which includes Walker Macy, was one of five teams chosen from 38 submittals. The competition focuses on a two-mile area of downtown Toronto's waterfront.

The teams have six weeks to come up with a plan that will draw citizens to the water's edge, as well as build on existing spaces.

The winning design will be announced at the end of May. For information, go to http://www.towaterfront.ca.

Mithun wins AIA housing award

The American Institute of Architects recently announced Mithun's University of Washington Nordheim Court was one of 13 recipients of the 2006 Housing Committee Awards. The AIA's Housing Awards Program recognizes the best in housing design.

Working with a budget of $85 per-square-foot, the design team created a student village with townhouses, apartments and underground parking, while preserving a pond, incorporating common greens and achieving LEED certification. The main courtyard includes a sculpture in the center to provide a focal point and promote social interaction. A bike path runs along the village to encourage alternative transportation.

April is Landscape Architecture Month

The American Society of Landscape Architects declared April National Landscape Architecture Month. April was selected because it includes Earth Day, April 22 and the April 27 birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted, founder of the American landscape architecture profession.

The society's Washington state chapter is working with the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Conservation Assistance Program in a design charrette in Black Diamond. WASLA is also supporting a historic landscape architecture survey that will nominate several local landscapes for recognition. During the process, WASLA will offer public tours of selected local demonstration sites to raise awareness about these resources and the program.

Members also will work with Seattle community members to design, clean and restore the shorelines of the Duwamish River in April.

For more information on local events, go to http://www.asla.org/lamonth/index.html.

Otak works on natural resource center

The Greater Arkansas River Nature Association has selected Otak Inc. to conduct a feasibility study for the Natural Resource Center in Salida, Colo. Otak will evaluate four site locations, funding and ownership.

The feasibility study will also include a cost/benefit and economic impact analysis, and an evaluation of space needs for seven cooperative state and federal agencies. Otak was chosen from a pool of 10 firms.

SMPS Networking & Ales April 11

The Society of Marketing Professional Services will sponsor the next Networking & Ales event at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, at Pyramid Ale House, 1201 First Ave. S. Register by Monday.

Cost is $10 in advance or $15 the day of the event. It includes one drink ticket and appetizers. The event is a chance to meet up to 45 of industry peers.

For more information, contact Karla Lindula at Karla@Seattlesouthside.com or (206) 575-2489.