FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2023
Tennessee Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects
Presents State Awards
MEMPHIS, TN --- Tennessee Chapter of American Society for Landscape Architects (TNASLA) met in Memphis April 20th and 21st for their annual state conference and awards ceremony.
The conference opened with welcome remarks by Lauren Taylor of Hyde Family Foundation. Keynote speakers included Paul Young of Downtown Memphis Commission and William Tietje of SCAPE New Orleans. Educational session speakers included Tina Sullivan of Overton Park Conservancy, Conners Ladner of Design Workshop, Lissa Thompson of Ritchie Smith Associates, Findley Frazer of Frazer Environmental Consulting, Mary Haizlip of Haizlip Studio, Dr. C.L. Bohannon of University of Virginia, Mike Allen & Daniel Grose of Memphis Botanic Garden, Sam Henry of DT design studio, and Adrian Smith, of NYC Parks.
DESIGN AWARDS
Professional and Student Design Awards were judged by landscape architects in New Jersey.
Professional Award Winners:
HDLA (Nashville) | Award of Excellence in Analysis & Planning | Fort Negley Master Plan
WMWA Landscape Architects (Chattanooga) | Honor Award in General Design | Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute
HDLA (Nashville) | Merit Award in General Design | Metro Water Services 3rd Avenue Park
Civil Site Design Group (Nashville) | Merit Award in General Design | Southall – Farm, Village, and Inn
Gresham Smith (Nashville) | Merit Award in General Design | Fifth Third Center Plaza Revitalization
Civil Site Design Group (Nashville) | Merit Award in Analysis & Planning | Sumner County Parks Master Plan
Kimley-Horn (Memphis) | Merit Award in Analysis & Planning | West Jackson Street Master Plan
Hedstrom Landscape Architecture (Knoxville) | Merit Award in Residential Design | Rosglen
Student Award Winners:
Yixin Jiang (Washington University in St. Louis) | Merit Award in Analysis & Planning | Cattle Maze
OLMSTED AWARD
This year’s Olmsted Award was bestowed upon Ward Archer who has dedicated over 20 years to the protection of the Memphis Sand Aquifer, an underground water supply that provides Shelby County with its fresh drinking water. He founded the non-profit, Protect Our Aquifer (POA), which is working to reform the Shelby County Groundwater Ordinance and develop a long-range plan to protect the aquifer.
Archer was presented with the award for his significant contributions to the State of Tennessee through the preservation of its landscape and enhancement of its physical features. He was presented with this year’s Olmsted Award during the TNASLA Awards Dinner on Thursday, April 20th, which kicked off the annual conference. Sarah Houston, Executive Director of POA, introduced Ward Archer and discussed POA’s previous work and current efforts. He then spoke about the group’s beginnings and shared his gratitude in receiving the award, not only for the recognition of his work, but for the work of POA, stating, “It’s really special to get this award, not for me, but for all of us. It says we’re on the right path.”
The purpose of TNASLA’s Olmsted Award, named in honor of the founding father of Landscape Architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted, is to promote the ideals he established to ensure the health and enjoyment of the environment by all mankind. The award is given annually to recognize significant contributions in one of four categories: contributions to the profession in Tennessee, preservation of the landscape of Tennessee, enhancement of Tennessee’s physical environment, or landscape architectural education. Previous recipients include TNASLA’s own Larry Mizzell, Barbara Hyde from the Hyde Family Foundation, and Charlie Newman, a Memphis-based attorney who has played an integral role in defending and preserving Overton Park.
Tennessee Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects is a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, education and skill in the art of Landscape Architecture and the promotion of the profession of Landscape Architecture as an instrument of service in the public welfare. For more information visit www.tnasla.org.
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