CSTX February 2008

PERSEVERANCE

Speakers

Peter Walker, FASLA
Keynote Speaker
Peter Walker and Partners Landscape Architecture
Peter Walker has exerted a significant influence on the field of landscape architecture over a five-decade career, crystallizing what is known as the American corporate multidisciplinary office. Educated at the University of California at Berkeley and at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Walker has taught, lectured, written, and served as an advisor to numerous public agencies, while exerting personal control over the design of his own projects. The scope of his landscape inquiries is expansive as well as deep. Projects range from small gardens to new cities, from urban plazas to corporate headquarters and academic campuses. With a dedicated concern for urban and environmental issues, his designs shape the landscape in a variety of geographic and cultural contexts, from the United States to Japan, China, Australia, and Europe. Walker is also the founder of Spacemaker Press, and his work has been extensively published in Europe and Asia as well as the United States. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects and of the Institute for Urban Design and has been granted the Honor Award of the American Institute of Architects, Harvard’s Centennial Medal, the University of Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson Medal, the ASLA Medal, and the IFLA Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Gold Medal.
Lindsey White, ASLA
Caye Cook & Associates
Lindsey grew up in the hill country just outside Austin where her love and understanding of landscape began. She studied Architectural Engineering at UT Austin from 1975 to 1977 and received her BS in Landscape Architecture from UT Arlington in 1981. Following graduation, Lindsey went to work for Boyd & Heidrich Landscape Architects in Dallas where she produced construction drawings and performed construction observation for numerous high-end residential projects. In 1985 she began work with the SWA Group (Dallas) and became an Associate where she directed construction drawings and worked on award winning corporate, medical, office, campus, resort and arboretum projects in the U.S., Mexico, Asia, and Grand Bahamas. Experience on residential to large complex projects both on-structure and grade and in different climatic regions has expanded her knowledge of integrated site design. In 1998, Lindsey joined Caye Cook & Associates where she has worked on educational and public sector projects, including the first LEED facility in Dallas. Her involvement in more than 16 LEED projects for Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings both as a project designer and coordinator for other LA’s has helped her to become her firm’s expert in sustainable design and LEED documentation. Lindsey is a registered landscape architect in the state of Texas and a member of the North Texas US Green Building Council.
Jennifer Appel, ASLA
Landsculpture & Design, Inc.
Jennifer Appel, in 1993, started Landsculpture & Design, Inc., a HUB certified design build landscape architecture firm that opened the doors to create solutions for high end residential and commercial drainage clients. The first ten years of practice included design and implementation services for contractors, developers, government authorities, and residential clients. Consulting with contractors, engineers, architects, and attorneys to create cost effective solutions to existing design issues, a unique situation presented an opportunity to establish a foundation in green roof consulting. In 2003, Appel designed and installed the lightest media used on a green roof. After 14 months of success, the project is currently being considered as a model for water efficient landscaping in Austin, Texas. In addition, Appel created Jennifer's landscape Vitamins, which are custom organic and all-natural fertilizers for landscape applications that are safe for pets, children, and the environment. Completing the first survey of veterinarians to ascertain the commonality of the lethal and non-lethal fertilizers and pesticides reactions in companion animals, Jennifer's landscape Vitamins entered the retail market in May 2003.
Brent Luck
Land Design Partners
As the Public Sector Studio Leader, Mr. Brent Luck’s focus is partnering with municipal agencies to conceive and then implement the design of many different park, open space and trail amenities as an integral part of a City’s infrastructure. By teaming with different municipalities and key stakeholders, the goal of implementing conceptual master planning can be achieved therefore creating a strong sense of community identity. Mr. Luck has either been the Project Manager or worked in the capacity of a landscape architect on projects including: open space master plans, trails master plans, landscape aesthetic and recreation assessments, parks and recreation design. He has provided design services including master planning services, theming and character development, visioning, design development, construction documents, construction administration and public involvement facilitation.
Mary Ellen Cowan, ASLA
MESA
Ms. Cowan is responsible for leading the Garden Design Studio. With 22 years of experience in landscape Architecture, Ms. Cowan has an extensive understanding for garden design that involves innovative design concepts; which, implements with intimate attention to construction detailing and the execution of the design concept. over the past 10 years at MESA, Ms. Cowan has developed a collective design approach that embraces the landscape with respect to topography, natural systems and the interpretation of site and architectural relationships. This approach works to reflect the intentions of the Architect while capturing the values of her Clients. Her project work generates outstanding design solutions that have earned her both state and national design awards and an exceptional reputation as a leader among her peers within the design community.Mary Ellen’s work strives to create harmonious relationships between the site and architecture in sophisicated, quintessential ways. Her projects enable her to work with Architects and Clients that value the arts, architecture, and the exploration for how these attributes enhance the built environment.
Scott Slaney, ASLA
SWA
Scott Slaney is a design and managing principal in the Houston office of SWA Group, a firm that practices planning, landscape architecture and urban design with seven offices in Texas, California and China. He has been with the firm since 1998 and practicing landscape architecture, planning and urban design since 1976. Scott received his BSLA from Texas A&M University in 1976 and studied fine art at North Texas State University. During his professional career Scott has been involved in landscape architectural, planning and urban design projects throughout Texas, other metropolitan areas of the United States, and international projects in the Middle East, Mexico and China. Scott has always been interested in creating “place” whether at the intimate scale of a garden or the larger scale of a region. His work over the years has been acknowledged with some twenty professional awards at local, state and national levels. In addition to practice he has taught briefly at the University level, juried and lectured at Universities as well as professional gatherings.
Francois de Kock, RLA
Halff Associates
Francois holds a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge MA, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He is a LEED Accredited Professional since 2004. Francois has more than 24 years experience in the fields of master planning; landscape planning and design; environmental impact assessment and restoration; and public participation. He joined the multi-disciplinary firm Halff Associates, Inc. which is based in Dallas, Texas, in March 2003. A strong supporter of inter-disciplinary thinking and stationed in the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department, Francois believes in forging professional relationships across departments. In fact, throughout his career Francois followed a multi-disciplinary approach working closely with civil engineers, architects, and natural and social scientists. Francois has severed for three consecutive years as executive member of the Board of Directors of the North Texas US Green Building Council. He is also actively involved with the chapter’s Education and Program Committee that is responsible for the appearance of high profile speakers on the subject of LEED which refers to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Taking the lead he acted as moderator at a two USGBC panel discussions, the one on Native Plants and the other on Sustainable Landscape Maintenance. Francois taught part time at the University of Texas, Arlington where he lectured MLA students in their final year on the theory of landscape ecology with emphasis on the Texas landscape and acted as the principal instructor for a landscape architectural planning and design studio.
Ed Garza
EDAW
Garza is EDAW | AECOM’s leading Texas Executive serving as Senior Associate for the design, planning, environmental and economic services firm. Garza was recruited in August 2005 to create, lead and manage the growing Texas/Midwest markets. Through Garza’s efforts, by 2010, EDAW | AECOM will operate new offices in Chicago, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin. Prior to joining EDAW | AECOM, Garza was employed with the International Waterfront Group (1997-2005) as Vice-President of Land Planning and Development. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas San Antonio and St. Mary’s University (1998-2003). Garza served eights years as an elected public official. In 2001 at the age of 32, Garza became San Antonio’s youngest mayor in modern times. He served the maximum, two terms as Mayor of San Antonio and prior to that served two terms as a City Council representative. As mayor, Garza’s momentum was immediately challenged by the security threats of September 11th and 2001 recession. Despite those significant issues, the city saw unprecedented growth. Following the attacks of September 11, Mayor Garza collaborated with other local elected officials to create one of the nation’s first comprehensive City-County anti-terrorism plans, leading CNN to recognize San Antonio as the second most prepared city in the country after New York City. On the state and national levels, Garza was elected to the following boards: Texas Municipal League; National League of Cities; Hispanic Elected Local Officials (President), and National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). He has also been active in CEO for Cities, the Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, International Downtown Association, Congress on New Urbanism, Fannie Mae Advisory Board and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Garza is currently a member of Harrah’s Entertainment Diversity Advisory Board and Chairman of the City South Management Authority for the City of San Antonio. Garza has received numerous awards and citations. He has been featured in Texas Monthly, Landscape Architecture, CNN and listed in Hispanic Business magazine as a “most influential” Hispanic leader.  Garza has testified before Congress and given presentations and key note addresses to groups such as National Security Agency, U.S. Embassy’s International Initiative, International Rotary, Urban Land Institute, National League of Cities and International Downtown Association.
Dwain Scott, RLA ASLA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
After graduation in 1989 Dwain went to work for Bradshaw and Associates as a construction supervisor in Houston. In 1991 Dwain and his wife moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he started Scott and Associates, a landscape design-build firm. In 2001, Dwain sold his company so that he and his wife could relocate to Fort Worth. Currently Dwain works as a Landscape Architect for the Engineering Services group. His duties include design and review of civil works projects. Most of these projects are environmental and wetland development and restoration. Dwain also works as one of four project managers for the Center Of Standardization (COS) in Fort Worth for military works projects. COSs are recent evolutions that grew out of the Base Realignment and Consolidation (BRAC) and Military Construction Transformation process. The Fort Worth District is responsible for the design and construction of all barracks facilities types and warehouses for the Army around the world. Both of these positions since require that Dwain work with and manage multiple disciplines as well as various types of architectural/engineering firms.

Graphic Workshop

Paul Wilson
Rialto Studios
Mr. Wilson is a 2004 graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Environmental Design. While in school he developed a keen interest in graphic communication and developed skills in computer-based rendering that complement his natural artistic talent. Paul is employed at Rialto Studio, a San Antonio-based landscape architecture firm, where he is responsible for the firm’s presentation graphics. Notable projects in which Mr. Wilson has been involved are Trinity University’s New Northrup Hall; Laughlin Regional Heritage Greenway Trail project in Laughlin, Nevada; the award-winning Rio Perla Phase I & II; and Towne Lake, a 2,400-acre mixed-use development in Houston.
John Moon, ASLA ASAI
TBG Partners
John provides both graphical and design support for TBG Partners. Graphically, John combines hand and digital work to create highly detailed and accurate perspectives and concept sketches. As a designer, John creates the early concepts for a project in order to provide rich character and a solid design direction. Working in design charrettes with students, designers, and clients gives John the opportunity to combine design and graphics in ways that maximizes creativity and provides the client with quick, colorful marketing imagery. Current projects include the Houston Astrodome, Children’s Hospital of Dallas, and Seaholm Power Plant in Austin. John created MoonDesign and was an architectural illustrator for four years prior to returning to TBG Partners.

Discussion Panel: Professional Discussion

Chris Crawford, ASLA
RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture + Graphic Design
Chris Crawford’s professional experience includes landscape architecture and master- planning for corporate campuses, universities, medical campuses and large scale master plannned communities. Chris brings to RVi an extensive background in land planning, zoning and feasibility studies. As a principal with RVi, Chris has focused on the planning and design of master planned communities.
Karl von Bieberstein, FASLA
Newman Jackson Bieberstein
Before beginning Newman, Jackson, Bieberstein, Inc. in 1990 Karl was a partner with MND and Partners for eleven years. Prior to that he practiced both in the public sector for the Dallas Parks Department from 1973 to 1979 and in the private sector for a firm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 1973. His talents and hard work have been recog¬nized with honors and awards such as being named to Marquis Who's Who in the South and Southwest and receiving two AIA Dallas Citations of Honor for his work at Dallas' Old City Park Heritage Center.He has also served as guest lecturer to Oklahoma State University, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas A&M University, North Texas State University, Texas Recreation and Parks Society Workshop, and the Texas Chapter ASLA Annual Meeting. Karl's past and present experience emphasizes the total project's interrelation with its many different departments. His concern with overall feasibility and flow of the project enables him to design and plan projects efficiently and successfully. Whether the project involves a school, park, neighborhood, large mixed-use facility or city, he has a keen eye that combines all the elements into a workable space.
Scott Slaney, ASLA
SWA
Scott Slaney is a design and managing principal in the Houston office of SWA Group, a firm that practices planning, landscape architecture and urban design with seven offices in Texas, California and China. He has been with the firm since 1998 and practicing landscape architecture, planning and urban design since 1976. Scott received his BSLA from Texas A&M University in 1976 and studied fine art at North Texas State University. During his professional career Scott has been involved in landscape architectural, planning and urban design projects throughout Texas, other metropolitan areas of the United States, and international projects in the Middle East, Mexico and China. Scott has always been interested in creating “place” whether at the intimate scale of a garden or the larger scale of a region. His work over the years has been acknowledged with some twenty professional awards at local, state and national levels. In addition to practice he has taught briefly at the University level, juried and lectured at Universities as well as professional gatherings.
Ann McGinnes, ASLA
City of Garland Parks & Recreation Dept.
Ann McGinnes, ASLA, is a registered landscape architect, and the Senior Park Planner for the Parks & Recreation Department in Garland, Texas, where she facilitates planning, design, and construction observation for recreational areas and trails throughout the city’s 2,500 acres of parks and open space. Ann has been with the department since receiving her BSLA in Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University in 1981. The Parks & Recreation Department collaborates with consulting firms in Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Architecture, and Civil Engineering to implement the department’s Capital Improvements Program. In addition to parks and open space planning, Ann’s division joins with other city departments, public agencies, and community partners in input for the city’s overall urban development process. Ann supports volunteering for your professional organization and is presently serving as the Trustee for the ASLA Texas Chapter.

Discussion Panel: Recently Graduated Students

Lisa White, Associate ASLA
Carter & Burgess
Since graduating in May of 2005, Lisa has spent her professional career in San Antonio working for Carter & Burgess which, as of recent, has become Jacobs Carter Burgess. In this time, she has been exposed to a variety of large planning and development projects, but has directed most of her attention to projects focused on river restoration where she works under a national practice leader for urban watersheds. Lisa is currently awaiting results on her last section of the LARE and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
Margarita Padilla-Posey, Associate ASLA
BWM Group
Margarita graduated from Texas A&M University in 2005 with a Bachelors in Landscape Architecture. She began her career with Coleman and Associates in Austin working mainly in the private sector focusing on multi-use, landscape development, high-end commercial, multi-family, and campus projects. In December of 2006 Margarita joined BWM Group in Round Rock. Margarita works in the public sector studio specializing in park, trail and open space design. Current projects consist of the Old Settler’s Park Sports Complex expansion and renovation in Round Rock, East Williamson County Sports Complex in Taylor, and multiple hike and bike trail projects in Austin, Cedar Park, Hutto, Round Rock and Taylor. She is actively involved in pursuing marketing opportunities to provide landscape architectural and planning services in Guatemala, her home town and country. Margarita is actively seeking her professional licensure.
Valerie Miller, Associate ASLA
Huitt-Zollars
Valerie graduated with a Bachelors in Landscape Architecture from Texas A&M University in 2005. Since graduation, she has worked as a Landscape Designer and Planner for Huitt-Zollars. She is involved in a variety of project types including the planning and design of large urban streetscapes, hike and bike trail systems, transportation enhancement projects, community master planning, military base planning, and transit-oriented development. Valerie’s focus is on LEED guided projects for the public and private sector.
Jeff Boutte
MESA
Jeff Boutte graduated in May of 2006 from Texas A&M with a BLA and moved to Dallas to join MESA. In the community development studio, he has been involved with a full range of projects from site design and planning for large residential developments in north Texas to small scale courtyard designs in Dubai. Jeff is currently working on the first gateway park to the Great Trinity Forest for the City of Dallas and has recently worked with the planning studio at MESA to design street section guidelines for a pilot LEED community. He is pursuing licensure in the state of Texas and plans to focus on LEED AP after registration as an LA.
David Buchanan
Halff Associates
David Buchanan joined Halff Associates in Dallas since receiving his BLA from TAMU in 2005. Over the past 2.5 years he has gained experiences in numerous facets of the profession, from park design and implementation, trail masterplanning and design, corporate landscape and business parks, streetscape planning and design, to parks, trails, and open space planning. He is currently pursuing professional licensure and becoming a LEED Accredited Professional, along with laughing at people who use the word palimpsest.
Audrey Arlitt
Kudela & Weinheimer
Audrey graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture in May of 2005. She began her career at RVK Architects, a multi-disciplinary firm that provides Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design services. At RVK Audrey was involved in small scale commercial landscape designs, as well as several park greenway projects. In June of 2007, she joined the San Antonio office of Kudela and Weinhiemer. Audrey is currently involved in a variety of projects involving master planning, site planning, and urban design. Some of her current projects include The Broadway Condominiums in San Antonio and the Pioneer Museum in her hometown of Fredericksburg. Audrey is one test away from receiving her landscape architecture license.
Jacob Young
The Tree Top Studio, LLC
After graduating Texas A&M University in the spring of 2005, Jacob spent the next twenty-eight months at Coleman & Associates. His focus was commercial retail, mixed-use development and multi-family development. As a project manager, his responsibilities ranged from design development drawings through construction observation. In September, Jacob formed The Treetop Studio, LLC, which focuses on estate design and installation. As the principle member, he now spends a large amount of time marketing, accounting, cost estimating, scheduling, and purchasing. He is actively pursuing licensure in the state of Texas.

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