THE RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER OF THE ASLA
INVITES ITS MEMBERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO OLMSTED 200
April 2022 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.The organization Olmsted 200 has invited landscape architects and people throughout the world to participate in celebrating the birth of this visionary designer.
RIASLA would like your ideas regarding ways that we might promote and celebrate Olmsted throughout 2022. At the January 2022 meeting of the executive committee of RIASLA, a number of event suggestions were made. Due to the uncertainties of COVID, virtual events were considered the most practical until the warmer weather allows for outdoor events.
To connect virtually, the RI Chapter ASLA would like to feature Rhode Island projects originally designed by Olmsted or the Olmsted Brothers firm, but that have been “recently” reworked by Rhode Island landscape architects. For example:
· The grounds of the John Brown House were designed by the Olmsted Brothers and the landscape architecture division of BETA Engineering is currently updating the site design to accommodate more visitors to this historic house museum. This recent work is providing an adaptive reuse of an historic landscape.
· Elena M. Pascarella, RLA worked on the redesign of Goddard Memorial Park in the late 1970’s. The park was originally the R. H. Goddard estate which was designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm. And Elena is currently working with a project team of architects and environmental engineers on a beachfront master plan that addresses sea level rise so that beach access for visitors can continue in the future.
There are other projects out there that have been completed by other landscape architects and designers and we would like to hear about them. Thus we would appreciate your completing the brief form below and emailing it to rhodeislandasla@gmail.com.
Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!