50 YEARS+
St. Louis Chapter  

 

Austin P. Tao, FASLA

Where are you from and how long have you been a landscape architect? I am in St Louis, MO and have been here about 50 years. I was born in Shanghai, China and came over at the age of 10. I grew up in the Chicago area and went to undergraduate at U of Ill. and got my Maters from U of Ore. I have been a landscape architect for 58 years and counting. How did you begin your career journey in Landscape architecture? After my Masters of Landscape Architecture from U of Ore. I started working in Portland for Robert Perron & Associates. I also worked for several other firms throughout my school years. What do you think is the most important issue facing landscape architects today? Obviously the challenging issues of Climate Change that's facing all of us. Other than that, would the economy and the global political stability. What have you gained by being a member of ASLA for 52 years? ASLA has been an essential part of my professional career. It has given me a sense of belonging and community. The National Conventions have been a source of inspiration and education throughout the years. Becoming a Fellow of ASLA was one of my proudest achievements of my career.  What would you share with others as a reason for belonging to ASLA as a member? In addition to what I mentioned above. Being involved with ASLA as a Chapter President and serving on the National Board have given me a great deal of personal development in organizational and group dynamics. It gives me a great deal of pride and suppose of being a landscape architect. What would you share with those new to the profession of landscape architecture? It is a good and purposeful and satisfying profession. There are many avenues you can take in this broad field of landscape architecture to suit your personal interests. The future is bright and you have made the right choice. What is your favorite project in your career and why? I have had a modest successful private firm in St Louis over 40 years. There are so many thousands of projects big and small. I always considered each project as my child, it's very difficult to pick a favorite child. Everyone is special and different in their own way. During the last 5 years of my active career I had an office in China working on projects in Beijing and elsewhere. Going back to my native Country working on projects and seeing my relatives was the most gratifying part of my career. What in your view is the most important thing that landscape architects provide? After everything is said and done, I think the most important thing we do is the design of the "environmental space" to achieve a balance between nature and people. We use our artistic design talent, our ecological knowledge, our engineering understanding and our cultural heritage to create the best solution. Is there anything else you would like to share to commemorate your 52 years with ASLA? I have been very lucky to be in this profession for that long and a proud member of ASLA for 52 years! I have witnessed great changes in the profession and ASLA. When I was first on the ASLA National Board,it was a very small group, literally like a men's club. There were no women members represented. The meetings were usually held at the hotel restaurant. Times and growth have changed for the better. Now we have more than 50% women in the profession and the national conventions are participated by thousands. I am very impressed and proud to see that we have "come a long way"! Congratulations ASLA!

40 YEARS+
Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter

 

Ignacio F. Bunster-Ossa, FASLA

Where are you from and how long have you been a landscape architect? I was born and raised in Chile, emigrated when I was 18. Graduated with an MLA in 1979 from UPenn and became registered in 1982, a cool 41 years. How did you begin your career journey in Landscape architecture? After earning a BArch at the University of Miami (Fla) in 1975, a small Miami landscape architecture firm offered me an entry level position. I thought it’d be a temporary gig until “proper” work in architecture could be found. I never looked back. What do you think is the most important issue facing landscape architects today? How to help humanity survive acute and most probably irreversible environmental change, namely climate chaos and loss of biodiversity. What have you gained by being a member of ASLA for 41 years? Knowledge about how diverse the profession is and, by consequence, how wide and vital our impact is. What would you share with others as a reason for belonging to ASLA as a member? ASLA is not a “Society” for nothing. The word implies something bigger than us as individuals. Membership benefits promote education, activism and socializing—for the greater good. What would you share with those new to the profession of landscape architecture? Approximately 25% of any given city comprises streets, another 25% public open space, and 30% rooftops and private yards. This is our realm – 80% of all the area most people inhabit. We have a huge impact on people’s lives. Don’t sell yourself short—ever.  What is your favorite project in your career and why?Would you like to submit/share a picture of it? The Georgetown Waterfront Park in Washington, D.C., the only national urban waterfront. The design required extensive public engagement, an inspired client, and a gauntlet of approvals. What was a parking lot became a loved public place. A mere eight acres, the park has an outsize impact on the life of the District. Picture attached. What in your view is the most important thing that landscape architects provide? Health—nature heals body and soul. And hope—landscapes grow and are resilient (think of the American Elm that survived the Oklahoma City bombing). 9) Is there anything else you would like to share to commemorate your 41 years with ASLA I have strived to leave a record of the thinking that has informed my work through teaching, speaking and publishing. My latest book, ALFIE: EARTH’S LAST HOPE, is an eco-science-fiction work positing the uniqueness of life on Earth—a leap to try and impress upon the general public the importance of environmental conservation.

40 YEARS+
Prairie Gateway Chapter

 

Michael Harris Malyn, FASLA

Where are you from and how long have you been a landscape architect? I am from western Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. I have been a Landscape Architect since 1967.  How did you begin your career journey in Landscape architecture? I began with study at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1965 and later attended Utah State University to complete my BLA Degree. What do you think is the most important issue facing landscape architects today? The continued push back from Architects trying to protect their territory in the design field. What have you gained by being a member of ASLA for 48 years? Great respect and satisfaction through the design of public improvements. What would you share with others as a reason for belonging to ASLA as a member? The support of other landscape professionals. What would you share with those new to the profession of landscape architecture? Give generously of your time and expertise to new landscape architects. What is your favorite project in your career and why? Would you like to submit/share a picture of it? The largest project was the Brush Creek beautification and flood control effort. A $150 million dollar improvement. Photos are widely available. What in your view is the most important thing that landscape architects provide? Landscape Architects provide and ear to the community they serve in order to improve the environment for everyone. Is there anything else you would like to share to commemorate your 48 years with ASLA? Enjoy what you provide and the process.

25 YEARS
Colorado Chapter
Chad S. Herd, ASLA

Pennsylvania/Delaware Chapter
Kelleann Foster, ASLA

Texas Chapter
Brent A. Baker, ASLA
Eleanor H. McKinney, ASLA/

Washington Chapter
Duane A. Dietz, ASLA 

15 YEARS
California Northern Chapter
Krista M. Van Hove, ASLA 

California Sierra
Dawn Truelsen, ASLA 

Iowa Chapter
Trent M. Witt, ASLA 

10 YEARS
Boston Chapter
Christopher Simone, ASLA
Joseph Wahler, ASLA
Xue Zhou, ASLA 

California Southern Chapter
Christopher C. Brooksby, ASLA 

Connecticut Chapter
Brook Clark, ASLA 

International Chapter
Mary Tremain, Affiliate ASLA 

New Jersey Chapter
Breana L. Parian, ASLA 

North Carolina Chapter
Pete Wall, ASLA 

Oregon Chapter
Michael Geffel, ASLA 

Potomac Chapter
Amie B. Evans, ASLA
Matthew Sellers, ASLA 

Tennessee Chapter
Stephen Schaller, Jr., ASLA 

5 YEARS
Florida Chapter
Erica Sylvie Astrove, ASLA 

New Jersey Chapter
Giovanni Caputo, Associate ASLA 

San Diego Chapter
Brett Jeffrey Allen, ASLA 

Texas Chapter
Adriana Hernandez Aguirre, Associate ASLA
Elliott Richter, ASLA

New Members
California Northern
Christopher Ray, ASLA 

California Southern
Ian Branch, Affiliate ASLA
Justin Lotz, Affiliate ASLA 

Florida Yi Luo, ASLA
Daniel Austin Rogers, ASLA 

North Carolina
Megan Foy, ASLA 

New York
Lisa Sandor, Affiliate ASLA

Texas
Sarah Carlberg, Affiliate ASLA 

Student
Leah Duty, Student ASLA
Joan Grasser, Student ASLA
Lauren Irwin, Student ASLA
Simone Keg, Student ASLA
Jabari Lottie, Student ASLA
Brittney Silva, Student ASLA 

Student Affiliate
Jaq Payne, Student Affiliate ASLA
Kristin Revell, Student Affiliate ASLA
Elmira Shirgir, Student Affiliate ASLA 

Student International
Sheena Hillary Bautista, Student International ASLA
Yunchen Dong, Student International ASLA
Mary Christine Garcia, Student International ASLA
Baoyi Huang, Student International ASLA
Ajin Rajendran Shobha, Student International ASLA
Shanmuganathan Saisuthan, Student International ASLA