July 1, 2025 (New York, NY) — The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has given its prestigious Landscape Architecture Firm Award to SCAPE, the landscape architecture and urban design practice known for creating beloved places that are socially vibrant and ecologically restorative. This award is the highest honor that ASLA bestows on a landscape architecture firm, recognizing firms influencing the practice of landscape architecture.
Founded by Kate Orff in 2005, today SCAPE has offices in New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans and a team of over 80 professionals led by five partners: Kate Orff, FASLA, Gena Wirth, FASLA, Alexis Landes, ASLA, John Donnelly, RLA, and Pippa Brashear, RLA.
“To receive an award that recognizes our body of work, our ethos and our collaborative approach is such an honor,” said Orff. “We’re deeply appreciative of the teammates, clients, and peers who have been on this journey with us for two decades.”
This year, the ASLA designated its 2025 conference theme as “Beyond Boundaries,” highlighting how landscape architects break barriers—physical, cultural, and environmental—to shape a better future. In conferring the Landscape Architecture Firm Award to SCAPE, the organization drew attention to the ways that SCAPE has carved a unique path through the field of landscape architecture, distinguishing itself for its leadership in climate resilience, community action, and ecological regeneration. The honor will be conferred at the 2025 National Conference in New Orleans, where SCAPE has a growing office.
In her nomination letter to SCAPE, Cheryl Barton, FASLA and past President of ASLA, remarked, “I’ve watched SCAPE emerge on the national scene, bringing new ideas of regenerative design, community-engaged practice, and a crystal clear voice that saw the future of landscape architecture. In their climate-focused and science-driven planning, and their inspired and inclusive design process, SCAPE breaks boundaries and reaches new audiences far beyond landscape architecture. As the second ASLA Woman President (1987-88), I take great pride in knowing that SCAPE is woman-owned. It has been terrific to see the firm take shape and truly drive the profession.”
SCAPE’s recent projects include Tom Lee Park (Memphis, TN), which won a 2024 ASLA Honor Award, China Basin Park (San Francisco, CA), Town Branch Commons (Lexington, KY), which won a 2023 ASLA Honor Award, Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan (Louisiana), which won a 2024 ASLA Honor Award for Communications, and Living Breakwaters (New York). Upcoming projects include the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail (New York), Harvard University Enterprise Research Campus (Allston, MA), and Manresa Island Park (Norwalk, CT).
About SCAPE
SCAPE is a collaborative landscape architecture practice that invents new ways to knit nature into urban life, creating enduring landscapes and a more resilient future for all. As a national leader in climate adaptive design and the implementation of complex large parks and blue-green infrastructure, we design across water and land at all scales. We aim to channel the landscape’s own voice, layering multiple benefits for people and all living things: strengthening shorelines, managing extreme weather, encouraging time together. Our process is equal parts design strategy and community conversation, translating analysis and ideas into powerful, welcoming landscapes. From the 100-mile Chattahoochee Riverlands project, to Living Breakwaters in Raritan Bay, the Gowanus Canal Lowlands, Tom Lee Park on the Mississippi River, and China Basin Park on San Francisco Bay, our work combines design excellence and a deep knowledge of ecology to regenerate, connect, and transform the built environment. Kate Orff founded SCAPE in 2005 with the belief that a focus on climate and community could push landscape architecture beyond its disciplinary boundaries. Today, we are a team of over 80, with offices in New York City, San Francisco, and New Orleans.
About ASLA
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States, representing more than 15,000 members. ASLA Mission: Empowering our members to design a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture.
For more information, please contact:
John Gendall (Chapter Agency)
SCAPE