2023 Class of Fellows, Taewook Cha, New York Chapter
Supermass Studio, New York City
Visionary landscape architect Taewook Cha has dedicated himself to advancing public spaces with a focus on creativity, diversity, and social-ecological responsibility. With a design approach grounded in people and their stories, he has a proven track record of making spaces that are not only beautiful and functional, but also meaningful to the communities they serve. His commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at ASLA and in his practice has earned him recognition as a respected leader in minority-owned landscape architecture practice. Throughout his career, Taewook has demonstrated a strong record of partnership, collaboration, and stewardship, earning him the respect of his peers and a reputation as a diplomat and consensus builder. Among his projects are: Mulberry Commons Park, Newark, NJ, a transformational three-acre civic open space designed to help create a new center of gravity for downtown and critical open space linkages; LaGuardia Airport New Terminal B Concourse Park, New York City, the reinvention of an icon that evokes vibrancy, individuality, and cultural diversity, and includes a series of organically shaped modular precast glass fiber reinforced concrete planters that promote fluid and intuitive movement; and Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurship Complex (ETEC) at University at Albany, Albany, NY, respecting the unified architectural style of the campus, the site plan was driven by overall grading and topographical strategies to organize the circulation and create both functional and sculptural landforms for planting and stormwater management.
