Millennium Park's Lurie Garden Wins Top Honor

Business Wire,  July 16, 2008  

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Landscape Architects to Recognize Public Garden with Prestigious Design Award

WASHINGTON -- The Lurie Garden, located in Chicago's Millennium Park, has earned the 2008 top design award from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) - besting hundreds of entries from around the world.

The ASLA Award of Excellence in General Design recognizes constructed projects of landscape architecture or urban design. Judges base their decisions on the quality of design and execution; design context; environmental sensitivity and sustainability; and design value to the client and to other designers. The Lurie Garden exceeded in all of these criteria.

"The landscape architect has created an oasis in the center of the city. It works on so many levels, no wonder people love it. The plant palette is very rich and engaging. This is not our typical botanic garden," said the awards jury which represents some of the world's leading design experts. "It has raised the bar and is far and away the most outstanding example of work submitted to the awards program this year."

Designed by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd, the 2.5-acre rooftop garden was inspired by Carl Sandburg's famous description of the "City of Big Shoulders." Gustafson et al. enclosed the garden on two sides with a 15-foot high "shoulder" hedge. Two diagonal, hardwood walkways create movement through the garden, giving the sturdy design a much gentler feel.

Those visiting should look for distinctive features that set this garden apart. The garden has two interior "Plates" that are planted with perennials and trees native to Chicago. Called the Dark Plate and Light Plate, they each have their own form but combine to resemble a muscular torso. In addition, The Seam is the boundary between the two plates. It is composed of an Ipe boardwalk that "floats" over a shallow water feature; perfect for dipping feet into after a long day at the office or touring around the city.

To see more ASLA 2008 award winners, including high-resolution photos, visit www.asla.org.

About ASLA

Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 18,200 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use their "ASLA" suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape architecture online at www.asla.org.

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