Design Workshop Wins Three of 37 National ASLA Awards

17 October 2011

Aspen – Design Workshop, an international landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and strategic services firm, recently won three American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Professional Awards, which are the highest honors presented by this organization. Design Workshop will be recognized for its work at the ASLA Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 30 through November 2. The awards can be viewed at http://www.asla.org/2011awards/.

Design Workshop's three awards, were among the 37 total national ASLA Awards given this year out of more than 567 award nominations submitted. The firm was awarded two ASLA Professional Awards in the Residential Design category for its Snake River Retreat project in Jackson Hole, Wyo. and its Galisteo Modern project in North-Central New Mexico. The third ASLA Professional Award was in the Analysis & Planning category for its Great Streets Initiative, a streetscape revitalization plan in St. Louis, Missouri.

We congratulate our peers on their awards and we are proud that ASLA recognizes the quality and significance of our work. In particular, we see the Great Streets Initiative as precedent-setting and its implementation will make a big difference to the community," said Becky Zimmermann, president of Design Workshop.

About the awards

Once a cattle ranch, designers set out to restore the ecological integrity of the wetlands in their Snake River Retreat project. The landscape architects worked against harsh climate conditions to reverse the damage that ranching had done to the land. The designers reintroduced plant species and the fish habitat to return the landscape to its pre-disturbed state. The transformed garden and streams of the retreat now fit with the beautiful landscapes of the neighboring Grand Teton National Park.

"This is a real gem. The stream restoration is what sold us. It was ambitious for the owners to take that on. They took responsibility for the stewardship of their site. The larger site strategy combined with the craft details is refreshing. It's amazing how well the geometry relates to the natural."
- 2011 Professional Awards Jury comment about Snake River Retreat

Galisteo Modern, a contemporary garden design located in the High Desert of New Mexico, receives acclaim for its seamless integration of residence and rural environment. The clean and minimal design highlights the beauty and majesty of the natural landscape, transforming this site into an ecological sanctuary. The landscape architects worked carefully to maintain the integrity of the land and water resources as well as the wildlife habitat. Using walls to limit disturbance to the surrounding environment, this design shows a unique respect for its natural setting.

"The simplicity is so beautiful. The freestanding concrete wall fits into the landscape, yet provides a rich contrast. It's very difficult to do. The way the pool goes in and out of shade provides such a contrast of options. This is how architecture and landscape can be masterfully integrated."
- 2011 Professional Awards Jury comment about Galisteo Modern

Creators of the Great Streets Initiative redesigned the dangerously congested South Grand Boulevard in St. Louis. Taking sustainability, safety and cost into consideration, the landscape architects gathered public input to produce a design that fits the diverse needs of St. Louis residents and local businesses. By testing the design components during each step of the process, traffic speeds and noise levels lowered significantly while storm water infiltration levels and wildlife presence increased. The design is expected to boost retail and restaurant business in the region due to increased safety and accessibility for community members. The innovative and functional architecture redefines the relationship between transportation and community, providing a model and invitation for other cities to follow its lead.

"The project really quantifies all the benefits you get from a streetscape. It bridges the gap between large scale- and site-specific planning and is relevant in a lot of places. The project gives ammunition to those of us who have to make a case for funding this type of planning. A good look at the long-term economics of planning."
- 2011 Professional Awards Jury comment about Great Street Initiative

Design Workshop's 2010 ASLA awards include the President's Award for Excellence in Planning for Isla Palenque, an eco-tourism resort located in Panama, two Residential Design Awards for its Transformative Water project in Pitkin County, Colo. and Catalina Foothills project in Tucson, Ariz., 14 Colorado Chapter Awards and two Nevada Chapter Awards.

About Design Workshop
Founded in 1969, Design Workshop is an international landscape architecture, land planning, urban design and strategic services firm with six offices in the U.S. and work spanning the globe. The firm has been recognized with over 200 prestigious awards for its work in new communities, urban centers, resorts, public parks, golf courses and residences. The firm’s philosophy challenges the project team to equally integrate and balance artistic vision, environmental sensitivity, community values and sound economics to create distinctive places that stand the test of time. It refers to this approach as DW Legacy Design^®.