ASLA 2021 Professional Awards Announced

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the 2021 Professional Awards earlier this month, recognizing the "highest level of achievement" in the profession. Awards are organized by category—for general design, residential design, urban design, analysis and planning, research, and communications, along with a "Landmark Award."

The 2021 ASLA Award of Excellence for the general design category goes to Design Workshop Inc. for its work in creating a "museum without walls" for the Natural History Museum of Utah. According to the ASLA announcement of the award, "the Museum offers an abstract extension and transformation of the land: its campus an expression of a landscape defined by rock, minerals, and vegetation."

The museum's design also embodies the museum’s mission to "highlight the natural world through scientific inquiry, educational outreach, multi-cultural experience, and human engagement."

Digital terrain modeling, utilized to make the steep terrain accessible for all users, blurs the line between intervention and conservation. Sustainable design elements including rainwater recapture, permeable surfaces, and native plantings resulted in a landscape that mimics and restores the natural conditions of the environment and the site.

In addition to the Award of Excellence, categories also include a list of "Honor Awards" for more examples of contemporary design excellence.

"Winners each year are chosen by a jury panel representing a broad cross-section of the profession, from the public and private sectors, as well as academia. The 40 winners were chosen from 486 submissions from around the world. Award categories include: General Design, Urban Design, Residential Design, Analysis & Planning, Communications, and Research. In addition, one Landmark Award is also selected each year," according to an ASLA press release announcing the awards on October 4.

The ASLA also announced its 2021 Student Awards earlier this month, recognizing student work in the same categories. Details of the student awards are available on the ASLA website.