Driehaus Foundation
The generous support of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation continues to allow our program to establish itself in many important ways. The enriched experiences afforded our students and faculty have been truly priceless.
During the past year alone:
» Internationally renowned visiting critics have challenged our students with their teachings
» Faculty and students have attended conferences and presented peer-reviewed papers
» Students have networked with the local landscape architectural community by attending events sponsored by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)
» During a twelve-day trip through Holland, Belgium, and Germany, students witnessed the transformative power of landscape architecture by visiting cutting-edge European landscapes and meeting their visionary authors .
» Our students obtain summer internships at some of the most prestigious offices in the region, where the benefits of these unique experiences will truly begin to be made manifest.
Richard H. Driehaus Visiting Professor in Landscape Architecture
Each year, a leading figure in landscape architectural practice and/or education is invited to be a Driehaus Visiting Professor. These professors teach an advanced-level design studio that draws upon their years of expertise in the field.
The spring 2009 Driehaus Visiting Professors are Lisa Rapoport, Chris Pommer and Mary Tremain of PLANT Architect, Inc.
Founded in 1995, PLANT is an interdisciplinary firm that branches into the domains of architecture, landscape, ecology, furniture, art, and graphic design. Synthesizing the insights and expertise of related disciplines, the practice responds to and embraces the increasing complexity of the world and the ambiguity of where landscape, built form, and design intersect. PLANT's integrated approach fosters a collaborative spirit, a multi-layered design solution and enriches each project with a fine grain of detail.
PLANT's work is exemplified in a diverse range of types and scales, including public parks and intimate garden spaces; residential, corporate, and institutional architecture; site-specific art installations and furniture; identity, print, and exhibit design. Through these projects, the studio highlights the interconnectedness of architecture and landscape, openness and enclosure, unaffected beauty, colour and texture, material and light, as well as the possibility of extracting and revealing history and memory in inventive and poetic ways.
Some of PLANT's recent projects include the winning schemes for the Nathan Philips Square Revitalization Competition, the Dublin Veterans' Project Competition, and the Stratford Market Square Competition; the Camp Arowhon Offices, Margaret Frazer House transitional housing, and Elizabeth Fry Headquarters renovation, all in Toronto; numerous award-winning gardens and residential extensions; and phase one of Foote's Pond Wood, a public park in Morristown, NJ.
Previous Driehaus Visiting Professors:
2008 -- Charles Waldheim, Associate Dean and Director of the Landscape Architecture program of the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on contemporary urbanism and its relation to landscape.
2007 -- Piet Oudolf, an internationally recognized designer of residential gardens and small parks. In Chicago, he is best known as the designer of the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park. He is based in the Netherlands.
2007 -- Tom Oslund, a leading American landscape architect. He specializes in design and site planning for large corporate, college and private estates. He is based in Minneapolis.