The 2014 SCC/ASLA Quality of Life Awards, which celebrate professional excellence from firms, individuals, and agencies in six different categories were held October 23 at the Ebell Club in Long Beach.

Over 175 members and other professionals attended the Gala event, which is held every two years. The next awards event will be held in fall of 2016.

The Chapter received 77 project submissions including four from students. Of this record number received, 44 projects were awarded, including 8 Honor and 35 Merit Awards.

The ASLA Southern California Chapter celebrated their Quality of Life Design Awards on October 23, 2014. Over 175 members and other professionals attended the Gala event, held at the Ebell Club in Long Beach. The venue, selected for its historical significance, was a befitting site for the theme of this year's awards, "Landscape Architecture – A Story of Generations".

The evening's VIP guest, Eric Lloyd Wright and grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright, was recognized as ASLA's first honorary Southern California "Chapter member". Eric has the heart and soul of a landscape architect and is a true advocate for the natural and built environment. Most recently, Eric has been working with the Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering's Landscape Architects. He was commissioned to recreate the gardens at the Hollyhock House based on his memory of installing the original landscape in his youth.

John Hourian, ASLA - Principal of Hourian Associates; and Andrew Bowden, ASLA - Principal of Land Concern received special Outstanding Service Awards from the Chapter which recognizes service and exceptional accomplishments to the Chapter over a sustained period of time; significantly advancing the profession, promoting landscape architecture, as well as licensure and serving as examples for other local, regional or national efforts.

Chapter member and incoming National ASLA President, K. Richard Zweifel, FASLA was in attendance. And, several of the Chapter's annual sponsors who generously supported the Gala event were recognized with a gift from the Chapter, including: Hunter; Park West Companies; Victor Stanley, Inc., Ironsmith; USA Shade and Fabritec Structures; Belgard; and Dave Bang Associates. The twelve King Palms generously supplied by Village Nurseries for the evening's event were donated to the Green Team at Hughes Middle School in Long Beach following the event.

Signaling a sign of better times in the economy, the Chapter received 77 project submissions. Of this record number received, eight Honor and 35 Merit Awards were handed out. In the Design category, the winners were MIG, Office of James Burnett, ValleyCrest Design, EPTDESIGN, AECOM, Cliff Garten Studio, Marmol Radziner, LRM Landscape Architecture, Terry Design Inc., RRM Design Group, Mel????(R)???(C)ndrez, Gruen Associates, City of Anaheim, Rios Clementi Hale Studios, LPA Inc., Troller Mayer Associates Inc., Duane Border Design, Pamela Burton & Company, SWA Group Los Angeles and KSA.

The recipients in the Planning & Analysis category were SWA Group Laguna Beach, Jennifer Zell, SWA Group Los Angles, RRM Design Group and AHBE Landscape Architects.

In the Concepts, Ideas and Theories category, the winner was Rios Clementi Hale Studios.

A Communication award went to Mel????(R)???(C)ndrez.

Honored for Student Work were Tina Chee, Zara Jane Leal Gomez and Enrique Guzman.

The Award of Excellence was given to AECOM.

For a more detailed list of awards conferred, please visit https://www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article.php/20023.