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2025 Professional + Student Chapter Awards 

The Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recently held its annual Awards Gala to celebrate the exceptional work and accomplishments of its members. This year’s event took place at The Baltimore Museum of Industry in Baltimore City, MD.

This year's award categories included General Design, General Design (Unbuilt), Residential Design (Single and Multi-Family), Communications, Analysis & Planning and Institutional. Distinctions included Merit Awards, Honor Awards, the Traveling Award of Innovative Excellence, and the Presidential Award of Excellence. See this year's winners, below.

Student Awards

Student Awards

University of Maryland, College Park

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Caleb Austin,

Student ASLA

BLA Candidate

Honor Award

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Tiara Rachman,

Student ASLA
BLA Candidate

Merit Award

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Stephanie Cavanaugh,

Student ASLA
BLA Candidate

Honor Award

Morgan State University

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Matthew Lewis,

Student ASLA

MLA Candidate

Merit Award

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Simone Robinson,

Student ASLA

MLA Candidate

Honor Award

2023 Student Scholarship Winners

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Maliyah Hatchell, SASLA
2026 BLA Candidate

University of Maryland

Scholarship

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Tiara Rachman, SASLA

2025 BLA Candidate

University of Maryland

Scholarship

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Parth Patel, SASLA

2026 MLA Candidate

Morgan State University

Scholarship

NEW! Mahan Rykiel Diversity in Landscape Architecture Scholarship

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Isabel Cedeno Rodriguez, SASLA
2024 MLA Candidate

University of Maryland

Scholarship

Merit Awards

Merit Awards

Analysis & Planning

Acknowledge Farms Invasives Management Manual
Knoxville, MD

MKSK, Inc.

Project Team:

Acknowledge Farms (Client)​​

Communications

Carbon Sequestration Field Guides
Washington, D.C.

MKSK, Inc.

Project Team:  MKSK, Inc.; Joe Chambers, ASLA; Eric Lucas, ASLA; Jane Jordan, Whitney Baxter

Analysis & Planning

Damascus Placemaking Festival
Damascus, MD

Design Collective

Project Team: Graham Projects - Art Consultant, M-NCPPC Montgomery Planning - Client

General Design

20400 Century Blvd
Germantown, MD

MHG

Project Team: Colleen Bowers, PLA, MHG. Developer:  Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. Landscape Architects: MHG General Contractor: Edgley Construction Group, Inc. Architect: Ewing Cole Civil Engineers:  MHG Structural Engineers: Comprehensive Structural Solutions Photography Credit: Jen Boccia Photography Vendors:  Nolan Brands, Landscape Forms, Parasoleil, Unilock, Brown Jordan, Ametco, Keuka Studios, Inc.

General Design

Gensler DC Office Renovation
Washington, D.C.

Mahan Rykiel Associates

Project Team: Client: Genlser, Structural Engineers: Stuctura Inc., MEP Engineers: GHT Limited, Lighting Consultant: Lighting Workshop, Acoustic Consultant: ARUP

Residential Design (Multi-Family)

Matson Mill
Conshohocken, PA

Hord Coplan Macht

Project Team: Chris Schein, FASLA, Jessica Baker, ASLA, HCM Architects, HCM Interior Designers, Client: Trammel Crowe, Photographer: Max Kun Zhang,   

Residential Design (Single-Family)

Luray Avenue
Alexandria, VA

FORM Garden Design

Project Team: Landscape Installation: Planted Earth Landscaping

General Design (Unbuilt)

Springsong Museum
Silver Spring, MD

Mahan Rykiel Associates

Project Team: Architecture: Miche Booz Architect, General Contractor: DPR

Residential Design (Single-Family)

Gherardi House
Chevy Chase, MD

Horn & Co.

Project Team: Cunningham | Quill Architects (Architect), Lauren Liess (Interior Designer), Carrmichael Construction (General Contractor), Planted Earth Landscaping (Landscape), Canadian Waters Construction (Pool Contractor), Homegrown & Harvested (Garden Coach), Allen Russ (Photographer)

Residential Design (Single-Family)

The Mosaic
Chevy Chase, MD​

Clinton + Ries Landscape Architects

Project Team: David Burroughs Photography, Fowlks Studio, Rasevic Landscape Company, Serra Stone, Corehaus, Outdoor Irrigation, Outdoor Illumination, Fountaincraft, Horizon

Residential Design (Single-Family)

Winchester
Annapolis, MD

Campion Hruby Landscape Architects

Project Team: Walnut Hill Landscape Company;  Larry Weaner Landscape Associates; Bay Engineering

Honor Awards

Honor Awards

Analysis & Planning

Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park Master Plan

Crownsville, MD

Design Collective, Inc.

Project Team: Client: Anne Arundel County; Consultant: Carmichael Associates LLC; Civil Engineer: Rummel Klepper & Kahl LLP; Historic Preservation Firm & Research Service: EHT Traceries; Architectural Rendering: Zanetta Illustration LLC; Photography: Chesapeake Aerial Photo LLC.

Institutional Design

The Historic Douglass High School

Leesburg, VA

 

LSG Landscape Architects

Client: Loudon County Public Schools; Architect & Planer: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners; Civil Engineer: Rinker Design Group.

Residential Design (Multi-Family)

South Annapolis Yacht Centre

Annapolis, MD

Campion Hruby Landscape Architects

Project Team: Architect: ABS Architects; Builder: Pyramid Builder; Civil Engineer: Bay Engineering; Landscape Contractor: Walnut Hill Landscape Company

General Design (Unbuilt)

North Harford Park Vision Plan

Baltimore, MD

Jonathan Ceci Landscape Architects

Project Team: Client: Baltimore City Recreation & Parks; Skatepark Consultant: Pillar Design Studios; Civil Engineer: Cityscape Engineering.

Residential Design (Multi-Family)

Chapman Stables

Washington, DC

 

Clinton + Ries Landscape Architects

Project Team: Studio Twenty Seven Architecture

Research

The North Star Garden

Washington, DC

Moody Graham

Project Team: Contractor: Oldetown Landscape Architects; Photographer: Allen Russ; Seasonal Container Gardening Specialist: Season to Season Horticultural Services.

Traveling Award

Traveling Award of Innovative Excellence
& Honor Award

General Design

College Park City Hall Plaza

College Park, MD

 

Design Collective, Inc.

Project Team: Client: City of College Park, University of Maryland College Park, Redgate; Architect: Design Collective; Civil Engineer: A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc., Lighting Designer: The Lighting Practice; Structural Engineer: Cagley & Associates; MEP Engineering: Henry Adams LLC; Sustainability Consultant: Sustainable Building Partners; Wifi+ Security: Convergent Technologies Design Group; Fire Protection: Koffel Associates, Inc.; Contractor: James G Davis Construction Corporations.

The new College Park City Hall and Civic Plaza mark a bold and exciting chapter in the city’s evolution transforming the downtown core into a vibrant, people-first destination. This transformative project brings together civic pride, sustainability, and community  connection in a way that truly redefines what a public space can be.

 

At the heart of the project is the Civic Plaza—a dynamic, flexible space that invites people in. Whether it’s a large public event or a quiet afternoon coffee, the plaza creates opportunities for connection and belonging. Active retail, outdoor dining, and strong pedestrian links energize the streetscape and create a sense of place that is distinctly College Park. The landscape architecture team at Design Collective played a central role in shaping this vision. The thoughtful design integrates sustainability, beauty, and functionality—from native plantings and bioretention areas to welcoming seating and shaded gathering spaces. These green infrastructure elements aren’t just environmentally smart they’re educational, engaging, and essential to the identity of the space.

 

Anchored by a transparent and accessible new City Hall, the project blends governance, community, and commerce into a cohesive civic center. As the first major step in a broader urban vision, it sets a powerful precedent for future development—and leaves a lasting legacy of what’s possible when design puts people and place first.

Presidential Award

Presidential Award

Residential (Single-Family)

Rain Symphony

McLean, VA

Moody Graham

Project Team: Contractor: Oldetown Landscape Architects; Civil Engineer: GJB Engineering, Inc. - Greg Budnick, P.E.; Photographer: Kate Wichlinski/ Architectural Photography; Garden Maintenance: Hedge Garden Care.

Rain Symphony is a renovation of a 0.25-acre residential garden in McLean, Virginia. Fairfax County, part of the upland Piedmont province, lies on the Potomac River’s west bank with several small tributaries flowing into it - the second-largest Chesapeake Bay tributary. All stormwater in Fairfax County goes directly to streams, not a wastewater treatment facility.

 

The project’s primary goal was to address stormwater management and prevent future flooding caused by unresolved site grading and surface runoff from the adjacent street, located at a higher elevation than the house. The client also wanted to reclaim garden space and integrate nature as a source of beauty that evokes emotions, provides mental regeneration, and offers a moment of solace. They also wished to incorporate corten steel and juxtapose the home’s orthogonal lines with nature’s contours, embracing wabi-sabi—the Japanese mindset of finding beauty in imperfection. The landscape architect proposed an artful stormwater narrative that encourages exploration of water flow, celebrates seasonal changes, and supports local wildlife. In collaboration with a civil engineer, the landscape architect developed strategies integrating blue- green infrastructure—nature-based solutions and underground stormwater infrastructure—to guide rainwater through the garden. Rain transforms the space into a playful symphony, echoing the rhythm of raindrops, mist, drizzle, trickle, splash, and drum.

Individual Awards

Spencer Ellis Award

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Annapolis Green

Lynn Forsman & Elvia Thompson

This organization brought together environmental movers and shakers individuals and families, local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits - to create a healthy and thriving community. Rather than focus on a single issue, Annapolis Green tackled a variety of challenges facing its communities, motivating people to stand up for nature with programs that connect, inspire, and spark meaningful change. In addition to launching effective community initiatives, Annapolis Green consolidated the efforts and resources of numerous local environmental organizations under one website, providing easy access to cutting edge knowledge, best practices, hands-on opportunities, and events.

Annapolis Green was founded in 2006 by Lynn Forsman and Elvia Thompson, two friends seeking to understand the broader landscape of global green initiatives. The organization ceased operations in December 2024 after over 18 years of service as the hub of the city’s environmental movement, uniting and inspiring the Greater Annapolis community.
 

Emerging Professional Award

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Javiera Diaz-Ortiz, Assoc. ASLA

Landscape Designer at Design Collective, Inc.

This award recognizes and celebrates an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary passion and commitment to the profession of landscape architecture, the community, and/or a firm in the State of Maryland; in the early stage of their professional life.

Javi is an associate ASLA member, a Landscape Designer at Design Collective, and a remarkable member of the landscape architecture community.


Javi was an outstanding professional even before she entered the workforce in August 2023. As a student of landscape architecture at the University of Maryland, she immediately took an active role in the student chapter of ASLA. By her junior year she was treasurer, and she was elected to president in her senior year. She and the SASLA executive committee were instrumental in developing workshops, inviting guest speakers for lunch and learns, participating in the annual PARKing day, among many other accomplishments. During her tenure, SASLA raised thousands of dollars to support student travel to the annual LAbash conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Manhattan, Kansas. Javi was also an accomplished student and participated in College Park Scholars, an invitation-only living-learning academic program that explores global sustainability through both classroom and active learning.

 

After graduation, Javi landed at Design Collective in Baltimore. She quickly acclimated to the collaborative nature and the congenial atmosphere of the firm, working closely and effectively with mentors and colleagues alike. She wasted no time getting involved with the Maryland chapter of ASLA and broadly translated the leadership skills she honed during her SASLA years to eagerly embrace the profession by volunteering as a junior professional representative. She is co-chair of the student outreach committee. This committee collaborated with Potomac ASLA and Maryland ASA professionals, Morgan State University and University of Maryland students, to initiate the professional mentorship program which inaugurated in January 2025.
 

Mid-Career Professional Award

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Kevin Gaughan, ASLA

Founding Principal at FORM Garden Design

To recognize and celebrate an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary passion and commitment to the profession of landscape architecture, the community, and/or a firm in the State of Maryland; in the middle stage of their professional life.

Kevin is a shining example of a successful professional landscape architect in Maryland.

 

Kevin spent his formative years at Graham Landscape Architecture and Campion Hurby Landscape Architects, where he created many influential and memorable gardens. He became an essential part of each firm, advancing both design and technology, while mentoring many new hires along the way. In 2021 Kevin founded FORM Garden Design, where he continues to develop his unique style and projects that include residential gardens, large estates, private institutions, and public commissions. His work is inspired by the natural environment and creates unique spaces for human enjoyment. He has an impressive collection of awards and has been published in several influential publications.


Kevin is well known throughout Maryland and within our profession for his longtime involvement with the Maryland Chapter of ASLA. He has served the chapter as Secretary, Chair of the Sponsorship Committee, and Chair of the Awards, where he spearheaded the planning at this very event in years past, playing a huge role in raising both the quality and profile of this event, setting the standard for the Awards Gala today and in the future. He has mentored many volunteers, helped the chapter plan special events, and developed relationships with industry partners throughout the region. Kevin was also the voice of reason at executive board meetings, and he has inspired the chapter to reach for greater heights.

Lifetime Achievement Award

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Jack Sullivan, FASLA

Professor, University of Maryland

Maryland ASLA's Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of landscape architecture by our long-standing and dedicated members. The award can be for service, knowledge, research or any other related subject that the MDASLA executive committee chooses to honor.

Jack was presented this award by his former student and current MDASLA President, Michael Pullano, ASLA. Here is what Michael had to share about Jack:

Jack’s career began with an early love of gardens — and maybe a slightly underpaid job mowing lawns at age 12. From there, he studied Fine Arts, earned his MLA from UVA, worked with Carol R. Johnson in Boston, and—fortunately for us—eventually made his way to Maryland.

Jack has always brought his full creative energy to every sketch, studio, and student interaction. If you’ve ever seen his sketchbooks, you know he doesn’t just draw landscapes — he feels them. If you ask him, Jack will say his design philosophy is to “Surprise people with smart logic and fresh ideas.” Jack always challenges you to do better because he knows you can.

 

Jack’s mentorship didn’t end when I earned my diploma. He’s shown up at my office in Baltimore on multiple occasions with a full class in tow, ready for us to critique their “Highway to Nowhere” design concepts. He’s reached out on behalf of students searching for jobs — just like he once did for me.

One colleague described Jack as “a selfless giver of his time… a lifelong class in creativity, integrity, and friendship.”

One vivid memory I have is from our Site Materials and Construction class. One day, Jack led us out to a small plaza just outside of the Plant Sciences Building and handed us a few shovels. The assignment was to uncover a failed tree pit that had been paved over and create a larger planting area for a new tree to grow and thrive. So we started digging. We were picking up pavers and exploring the paving section and soil underneath. We learned a lot that day. We also learned that the university did not appreciate our unsanctioned groundbreaking exercise.

Jack holds Fellowships from the American Academy in Rome, from National ASLA, and from the Royal Society of Arts. But when I told him he’d be receiving the Maryland ASLA Lifetime Achievement Award, he said this meant more to him than any of those other fellowships — because this award comes from people who know him personally. And I think we’d all agree that it’s long overdue.

Jack you’ve inspired so many of us to explore more, reach further, and aim higher — but to also take pride in what’s simply “good.”
 

Sponsors

 

PLATINUM

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors

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GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Bear Metal Design

Conestoga Tile

Curbs Gone Wild

Forms + Surfaces

Techo-Bloc

Vestre

York Building Products

IN KIND

Cheseapeake Lighting

DIV31

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©2024 by Maryland Chapter - American Society of Landscape Architects

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