TCLF/ASLA Annual Meeting Events Tremendous Success, Raising More than $90,000

Thanks to the generous ongoing support of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), TCLF’s myriad events held at the Society’s Annual Meeting and Expo raised more than $90,000 for our education programs. This year’s meeting took place at the San Diego Convention Center from October 29-November 2.

Event highlights include:

(upper) Kaufmann Desert House; (lower) Sunnylands
luncheonModernism in Palm Springs
The sold-out Excursion was held on Saturday, October 29, in and around Palm Springs, CA. The day began with a tour of the landscape and gardens at the Kaufmann Desert House, designed by Richard J. Neutra. Tours were led by Chris Shanley, Senior Associate at Marmol Radziner, and JC Miller, JC Miller Studio. Minibuses transported guests to the not-yet-open-to-the-public Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage to view the historic estate, followed by a leisurely tour of the estate grounds with Willett Moss and Scott Cataffa from CMG Landscape Architecture. Greeted by glasses of champagne, the guests enjoyed lunch outside on the terrace at the newly built Sunnylands Center and Gardens located next to the estate. After lunch, guests visited the Elrod House, a John Lautner-designed residence commissioned by designer Arthur Elrod in 1968 with panoramic views of Mount San Jacinto, Mount San Gorgonio, and the full sweep of the valley below and featured in the classic James Bond movie “Diamonds Are Forever.” Along with several TCLF Board members, attendees from across the country included landscape architects Lisa Gimmy, Ken Smith, Tom Oslund, Marty Poirier, Keith LeBlanc, Steven Koch, Pamela Palmer, and Renee Byers; architects Ronald Bentley, Salvatore LaRosa, and Joeb Moore, as well as Elizabeth Goodfellow, Chris Hacker, Will Thomas, David Zeitlin, James Lima, Kelly Comras, Sandra Donnell and Justin Faggioli, who collectively enjoyed the daylong excursion and closing reception.

Frey House IIEarlier in the week, TCLF’s Executive Committee, with special permission from the Palm Springs Art Museum, was treated to an intimate morning at Frey House II. The former residence of modernist architect Albert Frey is surrounded by sliding glass walls and is perched on a dramatic hillside overlooking Palm Springs. That afternoon they visited the last gardens and landscapes designed by landscape architect Robert Royston. JC Miller, who worked with Royston on the landscaping at the side-by-side houses, accompanied the group and spoke to the design and the significance of the surrounding setting.

TCLF Silent Auction

Silent Auction
In total, seventy-nine works by sixty-nine artists were auctioned over two days. The auction space was centrally located in the exhibition hall, close to the ASLA bookstore and final reception area. Our location in the exhibit hall resulted in an upsurge in first-time participants which we hope will bring further attention to TCLF’s mission and programs. We received many positive comments regarding the strength and diversity of this year’s collection, which included veteran and emerging landscape architects and artists. Thanks to our contributors and bidders (many of whom are repeat participants), the seventh annual Silent Auction was one of the highest netting years in auction history.

Joe Yamada Oral History LaunchJoseph Y. Yamada Oral History Launch
On Tuesday afternoon, Charles Birnbaum led an Educational Session about the work of landscape architect Joe Yamada. As the focus of TCLF’s forthcoming oral history, the session centered on Yamada’s life and work in Southern California. Yamada and his wife, Liz, were both present and joined the conversation, along with colleagues Pat Caughey and Dennis Otsuji from his San Diego firm, Wimmer Yamada Caughey. The session included a preview of clips from the upcoming oral history on Yamada, which is now seeking funds to go into full production for release next year. For a preview of these clips visit TCLF’s YouTube page.

ASLA Awards Recognize the Talent of TCLF’s Board of Directors
During Wednesday’s awards ceremony, ASLA recognized TCLF President, Charles Birnbaum, and Melanie Macchio with a Honor Award in Communications for the Foundation’s annual Landslide® initiative (The First Six Years: 2004-2010). We are also tremendously pleased to report on the numerous awards received by TCLF Board members’ firms, including Honor Awards for Design Workshop, Inc. (2 Residential Design, Analysis and Planning); Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects (Analysis and Planning); Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects (General Design, Residential Design); Reed Hilderbrand (General Design, 2 Residential Design); SWA Group (Analysis and Planning); and Van Atta Associates, Inc. (General Design). Read more at http://www.asla.org/2011awards/ TCLF would also like to congratulate Board members Laura Burnett and Thomas Woltz on being elected Fellows of the Society and Board Co-Chair Shaun Saer Duncan on being elected an honorary member to the Society, the highest honor bestowed upon non-landscape architects in recognition of notable service to the profession.