Susan Cohen
Susan Cohen, FASLA, was new to Connecticut and was married with two boys when she first heard the term “landscape architect” and knew that that was what she wanted to become. Following the suggestion of Ed Bye, she completed a certificate program at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and earned a degree from the City College of New York. She has since practiced landscape architecture, lectured on landscape history and design, and taught at both City College and the NYBG. Ms. Cohen currently coordinates the NYBG’s Landscape Design Program and its annual Landscape Design Portfolio Series. In addition to residential work, she has designed exhibition gardens at the NYBG, including the Japanese Autumn Garden and Sculptures from the Museum of Modern Art. In 2010 she was named a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and in 2015, her book, The Inspired Landscape: Twenty-one Leading Landscape Architects Explore the Creative Process, was published by Timber Press. As a volunteer, Ms. Cohen has served on the Greenwich Architectural Review Committee, the NYBG’s Board of Advisors, and the Board of Trustees of Smith College, where she helped create the Landscape Studies Program. She and her husband, Bruce, live in Riverside, Connecticut.
Statement: Cornelia Hahn Oberlander’s optimistic spirit, enthusiasm, strength of character, ethical values, interest in and concern for others, sense of fun, generosity, love for her family, and dedication to her profession are all things I admire about her.
Words of wisdom from Cornelia to me: “Remember, Susan: you must do research.” “Grading is everything.” “Dan Kiley said, ‘Walk lightly in the woods, Cornelia.’ I replied, ‘Dan, I always wear my sneakers.’ That is not what he meant.” “I called to tell you: never retire.” “You must encourage everyone to be more sustainable.” “Susan, isn’t it wonderful that we can do this work?”