Afshin is already making a mark, bringing his interdisciplinary background in landscape architecture and computer science to the students using computational, parametric, and his digital design representation activities for learning. of Toronto, a design and planning practice fusing the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning and Indigenous issues. Afshin joined the team in the Fall of 2021 and came to SEDRD from professional practice, most recently working with Brooks McIlroy Inc. You can view photos of the Landscape Architecture renovations here.Īnd more change! We have been very fortunate to include two more faculty with the addition of assistant professors Afshin Ashari and Zannah Matson. The addition of enhanced lighting, professional-grade wall, flooring, and ceiling treatments, ergonomically supportive furnishings, and three multi-media “crit centres” are having a tremendous impact on learning and teaching efficiencies.

Reviews are very positive suggesting that the shift to independent workstation and collaborative spaces, as the advanced learner-centred environment for our LA students, is welcomed. I am very pleased to share that the studio renewal of the BLA3/BLA4 and MLA1/MLA2 studios have been completed, and have been in use since the start of the Fall semester. Speaking of change, and studios, the programs have hinted at an impending and significant refurbishing of the BLA and MLA studios for a few years now. Landscape architecture is considered to currently have one of the most “on campus” presence at the University of Guelph. A current generation of students have been fulfilling their programs of studies “remotely” for two years now, and it has been absolutely wonderful to see peer relationships, friendships, and studio culture ignite though the “in-studio” sessions.

First of all, just being able to offer and finally deliver our many studios, face-to-face, with appropriate safety precautions, has been enriching for many. While many of us can readily characterize the last year without my input, I must say Fall 2021 has been a remarkable semester, in that we have welcomed many changes for the landscape architecture programs at Guelph.

I hope you and your families have a safe and happy new year!ĭean, Ontario Agricultural College | University of Guelph I encourage all of you to connect with your fellow alumni and the college and school to get involved in the future of the school and the future of landscape architecture. Sean has worked closely with the LAAA since its founding and together they have a vision for U of G to be a global leader in landscape architecture education. We are very grateful that Sean Kelly has been reappointed for another five-year term as director of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development. I encourage you to come and see what is happening in the school, to meet the new faculty and to see the studio renovations when it is safe to do so. You see first-hand how the profession is changing and you understand our need to respond with, for example, new and more faculty members and renovated and modernized learning spaces. The profession and the needs of students continue to rapidly evolve, especially via technology developments, not least of which, the data revolution and the rise of artificial intelligence. Happy New Year, landscape architecture (LA) alumni! We are so grateful to the Landscape Architecture Alumni Association (LAAA) for making the commitment to connect the alumni community of the landscape architecture programs here at the University of Guelph.Ĭreating strong connections with our LA alumni has never been more important as the programs and the school grow. Board Recruitment: The LAAA Board needs you.Dave Wright, BLA ’96, is the new president of Landscape Ontario.In Memoriam: Cornelia Hahn Oberlander 1921-2021.

Leading landscape architect dies