May 16, 2018

ASLA names four in NW, James Corner as fellows

The American Society of Landscape Architects named 31 fellows for 2018, including four people in the Northwest and James Corner, whose New York firm is helping design Seattle's waterfront redevelopment.

ASLA said the honor recognizes contributions to the profession through work, knowledge, service and leadership.

The fellows will be recognized at the ASLA 2018 Annual Meeting and Expo in Philadelphia Oct. 19–22. Information about all the fellows is at https://tinyurl.com/y7zfdpz3/.

Here are the Northwest fellows and Corner:

Kas Kinkead

Kinkead

Kas Kinkead of Seattle-based Cascade Design Collaborative was nominated for service by the Washington Chapter. ASLA said she is a leader in Seattle and nationwide because of her advocacy on sustainable building, green infrastructure and K-12 educational facilities.

Her guidance helped the state pass a funding-eligibility law for outdoor classrooms and a sustainable design protocol for new schools that includes stormwater and low-impact development strategies.

ASLA said she advocates for women in design professions and champions practice licensure for landscape architects.

Thaisa Way

Way

Thaisa Way of the University of Washington was nominated for her knowledge by the Washington Chapter, particularly teaching, research, scholarship and leadership. She has students examine how the history of urban landscapes and public spaces inform design and policy, and how to develop healthy and equitable cities.

ASLA said Way writes and lectures about the role of landscape architecture and the intersection of urban landscape, design and history.

Sandra K. Fischer

Fischer

Sandra Fischer of Bainbridge Island-based Fischer Bouma Partnership was nominated for leadership/management by the Washington Chapter. Fischer has an influential practice, ASLA said, and has worked to create attractive, livable, walkable and sustainable communities. She has led award-winning global consultancies and regional multidisciplinary firms, and raised the profile of landscape architecture in places where the profession is less established. ASLA said she develops the talents of people around her, with a particular interest in bringing women into leadership positions.

Mary Anne Cassin

Cassin

Mary Anne Cassin was nominated for leadership/management by the Oregon Chapter. She has spent 35 years in the Portland park system, and has been a force behind that region's reputation for urban design. Cassin promotes open space in cities and was instrumental in Portland securing the 2011 National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal.

She has pushed for creative ways to finance parks, including a policy requiring developers to pay a fee for parks and recreation facilities.

James Corner

Corner<

James Corner of James Corner Field Operations was nominated for his work by the New York Chapter. ASLA said his leadership on complex urban projects, and his lectures, writing and academic career put him at the forefront of contemporary landscape practice.

ASLA said he is focused on designing vibrant urban places. At the University of Pennsylvania, Corner pioneered landscape urbanism theory, which positions landscape architecture as critical to city development. ASLA said this paved the way for landscape architects to lead major, multidisciplinary projects that would have previously been led by architects or engineers.