November 13, 2024
APDesign students earn American Society of Landscape Architects Honor Award
Five students from Kansas State University's department of landscape architecture and regional & community planning in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design have been recognized with an Honor Award in the Student Communications category at the American Society of Landscape Architects national conference in October. Their collaborative project, "Olmsted's Crown Jewel: An Exhibition Celebrating Franklin Park," captivated judges and visitors alike with its engaging approach to landscape architecture communication.
Award recipients:
- Emily Siler, senior in landscape architecture
- Anna Rader, 2023 graduate in landscape architecture
- Caleb Payne, senior in landscape architecture
- John Kalamaja, senior in landscape architecture
- Katherine Herrera-Lai, senior in landscape architecture
Faculty advisor: Jessica Canfield, associate professor; Ian Scherling, collaborator, BLA '09.
As part of their Master's Project Studio, the students undertook a case study of Franklin Park in Boston, Massachusetts, to explore how park planning, design and programming could more equitably serve diverse communities. The result of their research was an eight-week public exhibition, "Franklin Park: Olmsted's Crown Jewel," which brought the history and future vision of this iconic park to life through interactive, multi-sensory displays. Held in a prominent gallery space, the exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors who engaged with the content and learned about the transformative power of landscape architecture.
Franklin Park, a 500-plus acre gem in Boston's Emerald Necklace greenway, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and is often referred to as his "Crown Jewel." However, years of overuse and disinvestment have left the park in need of renewal, earning it the nickname "Olmsted's Forgotten Park." The students' exhibition sought to reinvigorate public interest in Franklin Park by showcasing its historical significance and envisioning its future potential.
In fall 2022, following Olmsted's 200th birthday and the release of the Franklin Park Action Plan, or FPAP, the students traveled to Boston to conduct research and analysis. They consulted with professionals who authored the FPAP and collected on-site data to integrate into their exhibition, including sound clips, photographs, archival research and natural materials from the park. These elements were used to create sensory trays, flip-books and interactive displays that engaged visitors beyond the visual, making the exhibition accessible to a wide audience.
The students paid special attention to inclusivity, designing the exhibition with careful consideration of font size, panel height, tactile elements and auditory components to ensure that it welcomed visitors of all abilities.
The exhibition featured:
- A historical timeline of Franklin Park, highlighting key phases such as the Olmsted Era, 1878-1895, and the park's periods of disinvestment and renewal.
- Community character boards that provided insight into the diverse neighborhoods surrounding the park.
- Interactive "Then & Now" flip-books that compared Olmsted's original designs with current and future plans.
- Sensory trays with sound buttons, leaf fragments and twigs from the park for tactile engagement.
- Renderings inspired by the Franklin Park Action Plan and the students' own artistic interpretations of the park's future.
The exhibition was displayed in the APDesign college's gallery, attracting visitors from across the university and beyond, including attendees of the LABash Conference. The project was financially supported by the Susan and Paul Kissinger Award and through this project, the students demonstrated how thoughtful exhibition design can communicate the importance of landscape architecture to the public while honoring Olmsted's legacy.
APDesign's continued encouragement of student participation in events like these aligns with the Next-Gen K-State strategic initiative to deliver impactful experiences through participation in national competitions.