OLIN is honored to announce that two of our brilliant Partners, Tiffany Beamer and Richard Roark, will be inducted this year into the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows in recognition of their excellence in the category of Works. We say ‘brilliant’ because we consider Tiffany and Richard as beacons, directing us toward the future. They have both made a meaningful impact on our landscape architecture universe, and beyond—shining a light on what the future of the profession can and will contribute and where it will go. As Design Partners at OLIN, the two have each led signature, acclaimed projects across the US and internationally. Both appreciated as natural and effective leaders at OLIN, they were simultaneously elevated to Partner in 2012, and are part of ongoing expansion of our overall leadership. We are delighted that they will now carry the FASLA credential—an accolade for their past contributions as well as their promising future of good work within our profession and with the clients and communities they serve.
Tiffany is recognized for her artisanship in design, creating exquisitely shaped and detailed spaces informed through her passion for art and influenced by music. Her projects are most accurately described using the evocative verbs echo, sparkle, and dance. Like all forms of art, the places she makes are at once sensorial experiences and also reflective of culture. Yet, true to the ‘art and science’ credo of landscape architecture, her rigorous application of best practices in sustainable landscape design means that her projects also achieve the highest standards of innovation—from transforming a brownfield to a stormwater management and wellness oasis to protecting natural springs and mature native species within an urban redevelopment. Tiffany’s signature is her personal approach, where human-centered design begins with the relationships she builds within teams, with clients, and project communities, orchestrating harmonious collaborations to build beautifully expressive spaces.
Founding Partner Laurie Olin calls Tiffany ‘eminently worthy’ of selection for this class of Fellows, and reminds us that “After a series of brilliant projects with us in Philadelphia, she organized and led our Los Angeles office—winning competitions, creating outstanding civic designs, while mentoring a young staff, and building superb landscapes.” Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, FAAR, President and CEO of The Cultural Landscape Foundation has worked with Tiffany for years through her role as a TCLF Board member; he recognizes her artistry, saying “It’s the eye that sees the deep cultural traditions that make their way into the projects, through composition, detail, and living form. And it demonstrates a lust for public life, in practice. She’s the real deal!”
Similarly, Richard Roark has garnered deep admiration from some of the most significant representatives of our profession. Barbara Deutsch, ASLA, the Chief Executive Officer of the Landscape Architecture Foundation appreciates Richard’s contributions to the LAF Board of Directors since 2020, and supported his FASLA nomination with: “Richard’s ideas and projects are always ahead of the curve. I’m particularly inspired by his works in resilience… and on making the circular economy a research focus in practice, an exciting opportunity for future innovation!” Moreover, Frederick Steiner, FASLA, FAAR, RAAR, SITES AP, the Dean and Paley Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design and Co-Executive Director of The McHarg Center says of Richard, “He has a gift for bridging fairness and ecology through community engagement and good design.”
At OLIN, Richard sets a standard of practice that is both practical and idealistic. Recognized as a ‘change agent’, his projects address some of the most pressing issues of our time, and his design solutions are founded in deep inquiry into—and empathy for—the concerns of humanity and our planet. He leverages technology, research and invention to do so, leading project teams to settle for no less than optimal results—not for the sake of ego or perfection, but for the sake of a project’s impact on their communities and ecosystems. His nomination for FASLA cited his works at Dilworth Park in Philadelphia, ResilienCity in Hoboken, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Sojourner Truth State Park in New York, and Caño Martín Peña in Puerto Rico among others; these and several current projects share the thread of innovation in resilience planning and design—each transformative projects that protect natural and cultural resources, revitalize their contextual communities, and focus awareness of ecological systems and functions within urban or post-industrial environments, while making wonderful places for people to thrive.
We invite you to celebrate Tiffany and Richard’s achievements, and join us in congratulating them each for receiving the highest level of individual acknowledgement from our professional association, that they each so truly deserve.