This year’s symposium highlights the benefits of effective collaboration between landscape architects and other disciplines. Join experts from over 15 different disciplines to discuss topics that affect our Northern California region, including climate policy and design implementation, urban infrastructure and neighborhood transformation, engagement with underrepresented communities, and more, in our chapter’s first symposium!

Additional speakers and sessions will be added to this page throughout May. Stay tuned!

Keynote Speaker / FREE Virtual Event

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2024

12PM – 1PM

Susannah C. Drake, FASLA, FAIA
Landscape Architect and Architect, Principal at Sasaki

Susannah is a Principal at Sasaki and founder of DLANDstudio and is one of only four people in the USA who is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects. She lectures globally about resilient urban design, taught at top schools across the US including Harvard, IIT, and Syracuse among others. She is currently a professor at Cooper Union.

Her award-winning work is consistently at the forefront of innovation in urban ecological infrastructure. Through partnerships with communities on grants she enables green infrastructure, park creation, and environmental justice. Susannah’s project “From Redlining to Blue Zoning: Equity and Environmental Risk, Liberty City, Miami 2100,” detailing the relationship of historically marginalized black populations of Miami with sea level rise is currently on display at the 2023 Venice Biennale. Susannah was recognized as an Architectural League Emerging Voice and AIA Young Architect Award winner. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Museum.

In addition – her Gowanus Sponge Park won the inaugural Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Climate Action. She has published numerous book chapters and articles on climate adaptation and infrastructure and her book “Gowanus Sponge Park” will be published by Park Books in the Summer of 2024. She earned March and MLA degrees from the Harvard GSD and a BA from Dartmouth College.

Symposium / In-Person Sessions

SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2024

9AM – 4PM

Oakstop, 2323 Broadway, Oakland, CA

Education Sessions hosted by Fletcher Studio, SWA Group, SF Parks Alliance, and others. Registration includes one complimentary field session: Black Panther Party Museum – Guided Tour, The Gardens at Lake Merritt, OUSD The Center. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

COST:

ASLA MEMBER: $125
NON-MEMBER: $175
STUDENT: $75

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

(Program is subject to change and will be finalized by end of May.)

8:45am-9:15am | Reception and Refreshments

9:15am-10:30am | Education Session 1

  • San Francisco Slow Street Initiatives (LA CES/HSW T.B.C.)
  • Designing for Affordable Housing and Equitable Landscapes (LA CES/HSW T.B.C.)
  • Brainstorm Session: Neurodiversity and Inclusion

10:45am-12:00pm | Education Session 2

12:00pm-1:00pm | Lunch

1:00pm-3:00pm | Field Session

3:00pm-4:15pm | Education Session 3

PRESENTERS

David Fletcher, PLA, ASLA, Founding Principal, Fletcher Studio, Session Moderator

Presenting: “Art Masterplanning, Creative Placemaking and Public Art”

David has practiced in landscape architecture for 30 years, and has worked on the planning, design, and construction of projects ranging in scale from regional watersheds to furniture design. David’s formative education in field biology and fine art created an eclectic foundation where urban ecology, pop culture, and the California landscape intermingle with the everyday. David oversees the Studio’s project portfolio and serves as Design Director for the office’s projects.

Nataly Gattegno, Artist, Founding & Managing Partner of FUTUREFORMS

Presenting: “Art Masterplanning, Creative Placemaking and Public Art”

FUTUREFORMS is an award-winning art and design studio based in San Francisco, CA. Founders Jason Kelly Johnson and Nataly Gattegno have collaborated on a range of projects exploring the intersections of art and design with public space for over 20 years. Recent public art projects have included sculptural shade canopies, art pavilions, fine art objects, furniture, lighting, and large scale urban art installations.

Dorka Keehn, Principal, Keehn On Art

Presenting: “Art Masterplanning, Creative Placemaking and Public Art”

Keehn On Art is a firm positioned at the intersection of art and urban planning that specializes in public art, art master plans, and placemaking. Dorka works with developers, city planners, and architects to enhance development projects and foster community wellbeing. For over a decade, she served on the San Francisco Arts Commission where she chaired the Visual Arts Committee and its Civic Design Review Committee, which evaluates and has final purview over all construction and renovation of architecture, streets, and landscape design.

Chris Kent, ASLA, LEED AP, Principal at PGAdesign, Session Moderator

Presenting: “Unlocking Urban Street Transformation: Overcoming Challenges Associated with Changing Urban Infrastructure”

As the session moderator, Chris will guide panelists through exploring their experiences and insights into the intricate challenge of adapting urban streets to accommodate new modes of transportation. With 30 years of Bay Area practice, he leads diverse projects for public and private clients, excelling in conceptual design, community engagement, and transportation projects.

Laurence Lewis, Transportation Engineer for Kittleson & Associates

Presenting: “Unlocking Urban Street Transformation: Overcoming Challenges Associated with Changing Urban Infrastructure”

Laurence is a transportation engineer and planner known for his expertise in integrating land use with transportation infrastructure. With over two decades of experience, Laurence has spearheaded numerous national projects, specializing in multimodal corridor studies, Complete Streets planning, and local government mobility initiatives. As a registered Professional Engineer and a distinguished member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, he brings unique insight to transit planning, traffic engineering, and urban design. Laurence’s extensive portfolio spans the breadth of the United States, reflecting his commitment to creating inclusive and sustainable urban environments. Laurence will share his insights on rehabilitating urban streets to accommodate diverse modes of transportation, from widened sidewalks to cycle tracks, while enhancing comfort with green spaces and addressing complex utility needs.

Garrett Gritz, Civil Engineer at Diablo Engineering Group

Presenting: “Unlocking Urban Street Transformation: Overcoming Challenges Associated with Changing Urban Infrastructure”

As a civil engineer specializing in streetscape design, Gary has been integral to multiple departments within the City of Oakland. His expertise and dedication have positioned him as a trusted advisor to city staff and management. Currently leading projects such as the BRT project, 7th Street Undercrossing, and Martin Luther King Streetscape, Gary adeptly navigates challenges to streamline transportation project approvals.

Mark Wessels, ASLA, Arborist/ Landscape Architect

Presenting: “Unlocking Urban Street Transformation: Overcoming Challenges Associated with Changing Urban Infrastructure”

Mark is a visionary professional with expertise in sustainable urban development and street design. As an accomplished arborist and landscape architect, he specializes in revitalizing urban transportation corridors, and prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist accommodations. Mark navigates regulatory frameworks adeptly to deliver inclusive improvements, enriching urban forests and fostering vibrant, connected communities.

Gina Kotos, Arborist/ Community Manager, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Session Moderator

Presenting: “San Francisco Slow Street Initiatives”

Thea Yang, ASLA, Assistant Project Manager, San Francisco Parks Alliance, Session Moderator

Presenting: “San Francisco Slow Street Initiatives”

Mariana Ricker, Associate, SWA Group, Session Moderator

Presenting: “A Case for Climate Action: Metrics + Carbon Policies”

Mariana Ricker emphasizes the importance of site-specific, sustainable landscape design. She enjoys working in urban settings that engage diverse user groups and activate spaces essential to civic life. As a licensed landscape architect, Mariana seeks to create memorable experiences, connect people to the environment, and provide elegant solutions to accomplish the project vision. She is committed to climate action and advancing sustainability efforts within her project work and professionally.

Brian Meinrath, Director, Atelier Ten

Presenting: “A Case for Climate Action: Metrics + Carbon Policies”

Brian is a Director of Atelier Ten’s San Francisco office. Combining his knowledge of the architectural design process with sustainable design principles, Brian leads sustainability consulting on project types varying from academic facilities and research labs to cultural buildings. Brian specializes in complex campus projects, including Microsoft’s Puget Sound East Campus Modernization Project that is pursuing ILFI Zero Carbon, LEED Platinum and Salmon-Safe certifications. He was instrumental in defining the sustainability goals and water conservation scheme for San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center, a 1.4 million sq ft transportation station.

Jessica Hall, Principal & Landscape Architect, Wildling Design Studio, Session Moderator

Presenting: “Bringing Natural Processes into Designs: Advantages, Urgency, and Fun of Working with Nature”

Jessica is an ecologically-oriented landscape architect, with a background in architecture and education. She launched Wildling as a landscape architecture practice on the conviction that livable cities and development depend upon thoughtful incorporation of nature and natural processes into the urban fabric, and that we belong to nature – not the other way around.. Wildling’s name hints at that ethos – and that our work should tap into the playful, fun spirit that connecting to nature provides.

Catherine Chang, Principal and Building and Urban Designer, Madrone Design Studio

Presenting: “Bringing Natural Processes into Designs: Advantages, Urgency, and Fun of Working with Nature”

Hailing from Oʻahu, Ms. Chang learned Mālama ‘āina from her Native Hawaiian family. The Bay Area is her home while continuing caring for the land. An adjunct professor of Architecture at University of San Francisco, she directs Madrone Design Studio and advises for institutions and governmental agencies. Her work focuses on buildings and landscapes supporting regenerative ecological, agricultural and cultural footprints within cities. She lectures publicly, offering talks on community greening, urban agriculture, sustainable design techniques and using fire hardening efforts to promote biodiversity in fire-prone areas.

Roger Leventhal, Senior Engineer, Marin County Flood Control District

Presenting: “Bringing Natural Processes into Designs: Advantages, Urgency, and Fun of Working with Nature”

Roger Leventhal oversees technical studies for sea level rise and climate change adaptation for Marin County with an emphasis on utilizing nature-based solutions and their integration with more traditional engineering approaches, and was in private consulting specializing in wetlands and creek restoration for approximately 25 years. He has designed and managed large Bay Area tidal marsh and beach restoration projects and has developed an Engineering with Nature approach for dredging of tidal flood control channels.

Anneke Swinehart, Associate Principal and Design Director, Restoration Design Group

Presenting: “Bringing Natural Processes into Designs: Advantages, Urgency, and Fun of Working with Nature”

Anneke Swinehart is a licensed landscape architect who has been working with design-driven firms since 2007 and joined the RDG team in 2017. She works closely with the technical team to provide coordinated design from thalweg to property line, planning healthy, beautiful spaces for all our clients, no matter how small. She is keenly interested in art and design that embraces the interplay of science and aesthetics to create beautiful environments and experiences. Anneke grew up on boats, lakes, and rivers in Michigan and now rows with the Iron Oars Whaleboat team.

Šárka Volejníková, Trust for Public Land, Session Presenter

Presenting: “Mapping Black Cultural Landscapes in Northern California”

Allan Greller, Project Manager, The Cultural Landscape Foundation

Presenting: “Mapping Black Cultural Landscapes in Northern California”

Wendy Mok, PLA, ASLA, Director, GLS Landscape | Architecture, Session Moderator

Presenting: “Designing for Affordable Housing and Equitable Landscapes”

Trained in both architecture and landscape architecture, Wendy has been a practicing landscape architect in San Francisco since 2003. She enjoys working closely with multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers, and artists to create site-specific, sustainable designs for a variety of project types and scales. Wendy specializes in designing and managing large-scale planning projects with extensive outreach and entitlement processes through detailing and construction. Her neighborhood development projects include HOPE SF: Rebuild Potrero and the Balboa Reservoir Master Plan.

Orrin Goldsby, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, Associate, David Baker Architects

Presenting: “Designing for Affordable Housing and Equitable Landscapes”

Orrin Goldsby is an Associate at David Baker Architects, a nationally known, locally oriented architecture and urban design firm based in California and Alabama. Orrin grew up in the redwood forests of Northern California and brings his deep admiration of the complexity of the natural world to his design work to make resilient places for people. As a leader of DBA’s Site Ecology & Water working group, Orrin advocates for sustainable solutions in DBA’s architectural projects, enacting meaningful change at the nexus of affordable housing, climate, and community.

Justin Richardson, PLA, ASLA, LEED GA, GLS Landscape | Architecture

Presenting: “The Gardens at Lake Merritt – A Public-private Collaboration”

Jennifer Ivanovich, Studio Director, BASE Landscape Architecture, Session Moderator

Presenting: “OUSD The Center: Seeding Urban Resilience through Collaborative Design”

Martha Clifford, Associate Project Manager, BASE Landscape Architecture

Presenting: “OUSD The Center: Seeding Urban Resilience through Collaborative Design”

Lisa Howard, Founding Principal of Bay Tree Design

Presenting: “OUSD The Center: Seeding Urban Resilience through Collaborative Design”

Kira Maritano, Senior Program Manager, Trust for Public Land

Presenting: “OUSD The Center: Seeding Urban Resilience through Collaborative Design”

Michelle Oppen, Director of Programs, The Center Oakland Unified School District

Presenting: “OUSD The Center: Seeding Urban Resilience through Collaborative Design”

Black Panther Party Museum

Guided Tour: “Black Panther Party Museum”

The Black Panther Party Museum was established in January 2024 by the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that has preserved and promoted the legacy of the Black Panther Party since 1995. They execute their mission by developing exhibitions, public programming, public art, and educational tools. They hold the largest archival collection on the Black Panther Party, housed at Stanford University Libraries, and continue to acquire artifacts and distribute information that tells the true story of the Black Panther Party. (https://hueypnewtonfoundation.org/black-panther-party-museum)