L to R: Laurie Olin and Tom Finkelpearl, Executive Director of the Queens Museum of Art

Laurie Olin presented his redesign of Columbus Circle at a public event held at the Museum of Art and Design in NYC. Olin described how his designed transformed Columbus Circle from an abandoned traffic circle into an active, dynamic, social space at the center of New York City. He was joined by Tom Finkelpearl, Executive Director of the Queens Museum of Art, to discuss the social function of landscape and public architecture, and the role of public art in creating spaces for open dialog in the urban realm.

L to R: OLIN Partners Susan Weiler, David Rubin, Robert Bedell, Laurie Olin, Dennis McGlade, Lucinda Sanders

OLIN is the recipient of the 2008 National Design Award for Landscape Design from the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. The award, presented by the Commissioner of NYC’s Department of Parks and Recreation Adrian Benepe at a ceremony held at the Museum, was bestowed to the partners of OLIN for creating timeless places that enhance life and promote social interaction among diverse members of communities. OLIN was also recognized for being an early proponent of sustainability and green design.

OLIN and architect Richard Meier celebrated the opening of Weill Hall at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. OLIN CEO & Partner Lucinda Sanders designed a landscape inspired by Meier’s building as well as the inherent nature of the site. Over two-thirds of the new landscape is over structure, including underground laboratories, lecture halls and parking structures. The landscape reinforces the pedestrian and visual connections that exist throughout the campus and provides engaging social spaces for students and faculty. The area will serve as a hub of vibrant interdisciplinary interaction.

CEO & Partner Lucinda Sanders has been appointed to the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Board of Directors. The mission of the LAF is to support the preservation, improvement and enhancement of the environment. “We are very grateful to Lucinda for volunteering her expertise on the LAF Board of Directors. Her forward-thinking approach, creativity and diverse experience in the field will be invaluable to the Foundation in 2009 and beyond,” stated Dennis Carmichael, LAF President. Lucinda recently served as a juror for the LAF’s 2008 Olmsted Scholars Program which recognizes students who are using ideas and influence to advance sustainable planning and design and foster human benefit.

Associate Scott Dismukes talks with students from North Carolina State University Department of Landscape Architecture during OLIN’s open house

The 2008 ASLA Annual Conference was held in OLIN’s hometown of Philadelphia. OLIN hosted a number of events in conjunction with the conference including guided tours of OLIN projects in Philadelphia, alumni receptions for the UVA School of Landscape Architecture and Harvard GSD, as well as an open house for conference attendees interested in learning about OLIN’s design philosophy, current projects and atelier working environment. Also during the conference, members of the OLIN studio led panel discussions on a variety of issues of importance to the landscape architecture profession including sustainable stormwater management, the greening of American campuses, selecting an office software palette and more.

Dennis McGlade has been appointed to the National Board of Directors of The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), the only not-for-profit foundation in America dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of the importance and legacy of cultural landscapes. TCLF President Charles Birnbaum stated, “I am pleased that the thoughtful designer of such celebrated projects as the Getty Center’s Stark Sculpture Garden in Los Angeles and the Master Plan for the iconic Midway Plaisance in Chicago, whose built works truly embodies TCLF’s mission of stewardship through education, will be joining our Board.”