Laurie Olin

Laurie Olin
Name	Laurie Olin
Birth date	1938
Birth place	Marshfield, Wisconsin
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of Washington, University of California, Berkeley
Occupation	Landscape architect, educator, author
Known for	Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, Battery Park City
Awards	Rome Prize, National Medal of Arts, American Academy of Arts and Letters

Laurie Olin is a prominent American landscape architect, educator, and author renowned for his transformative work on significant urban public spaces. A founding partner of the Philadelphia-based firm OLIN, his designs emphasize ecological sensitivity, historical context, and vibrant social use. Olin's influential career spans decades, blending practice with extensive teaching at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and authorship of critical texts on landscape theory.

Early life and education

Born in Marshfield, Wisconsin, Olin developed an early appreciation for the natural environment and built form. He initially pursued a degree in architecture at the University of Washington before shifting his focus to the allied field of landscape architecture. For his graduate studies, Olin attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a master's degree and was profoundly influenced by the teachings of notable figures in the College of Environmental Design.

Career

After completing his education, Olin worked for several established firms, including that of landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, gaining crucial experience on large-scale projects. In 1976, he co-founded the practice that would evolve into OLIN, establishing its main office in Philadelphia. His career is distinguished by a commitment to the public realm, working on complex urban renewals, corporate campuses, and institutional landscapes across the United States and internationally, often in collaboration with leading architects like Frank Gehry and Renzo Piano.

Notable projects and designs

Olin's portfolio includes many high-profile projects that have reshaped urban experiences. In New York City, his firm led the acclaimed redesigns of Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, and the esplanades at Battery Park City. Other significant works include the landscape for the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Washington Monument grounds at the National Mall, and the Barnes Foundation museum campus in Philadelphia. Internationally, he contributed to the landscape for the Corning Museum of Glass and projects in London and Paris.

Awards and recognition

Laurie Olin has received the highest honors in his field and the arts. He is a recipient of the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome, the National Medal of Arts presented by the President of the United States, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Award. He has also been inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, which awarded him the ASLA Medal.

Teaching and academic work

Olin has maintained a parallel career as a dedicated educator, profoundly influencing generations of designers. He served as the Practice Professor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania's Weitzman School of Design for decades. He has also held visiting professorships and lectured widely at institutions such as the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cornell University, and the University of Virginia. His teaching integrates practical experience with deep historical and theoretical inquiry.

Publications

An articulate scholar of his discipline, Olin is the author of several important books and essays. His publications include *Across the Open Field: Essays Drawn from English Landscapes*, *Transforming the Common Place: Selections from Laurie Olin’s Sketchbooks*, and *Be Seated*, which examines the role of sitting in public space. His writings frequently appear in journals like Landscape Architecture Magazine and have been published by presses including the University of Pennsylvania Press.

Category:American landscape architects Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:National Medal of Arts recipients