OLIN’s team has been selected to produce a master plan for Blithewold, a sprawling Victorian-era estate located in Bristol, Rhode Island. Originally designed and occupied at the turn of the century, the property was donated to the public in 1976 and is now operated by a non-profit organization committed to preserving the historic architecture and horticulture of the mansion and the surrounding arboretum, which itself is home to approximately 300 different species of tress and shrubs. The site has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The plan will outline the guiding principles and philosophies of preservation and stewardship of the site and will explore various options for improving amenities and accessibility while maintaining sensitivity to the historic context of the estate. The master plan team is led by Ann Beha Architects.

OLIN’s team was recently selected for the Babylon, New York Transit Oriented Development Master Plan in Wyandanch, New York. By leveraging the tremendous value of the forthcoming Wyandanch Long Island Rail Road Transit Station, this master plan will redevelop an existing brownfield site into a new active corridor. The project will advance development on strategic sites in Wyandanch and contribute to the overall revitalization within the area. The end result will provide a vision of growth for this diverse community, and establish a pedestrian-friendly environment with new public squares and parks for its residents. We are teamed with Torti Gallas, who is leading the project.

OLIN is currently teaching the first-ever studio for landscape architecture at SCI-Arc in Los Angeles, one of the country’s most innovative and distinguished independent architecture schools. The focus of the studio will be the urban re-engagement of Los Angeles with the Los Angeles River, both in its entirety and at selected sites within the City. Water supply, quality, and management are among the most critical concerns affecting every nation around the world. Deemed by the United Nations as a critical issue to the global environment, water security is becoming especially relevant, as almost 70 percent of the world population will reside in urban areas by 2050. Existing models of city form and infrastructure will need to be re-imagined to address these challenges. Within this context, SCI-Arc students will develop an understanding of the natural, social, cultural, economic, and built systems of the region, using the Los Angeles River as the laboratory and vehicle for exploration of urban water management, multi-functional infrastructure, and evolving models of city form. This process will immerse the students in the complex issues associated with urban river systems and offer an opportunity for a dynamic collaboration with practicing landscape architects and other design, engineering, and technical experts.