Profile: William H. Laubmann, ASLA

Company/academic title: President, Laubmann & Associates, Inc.

Education:

• University of Mexico, Pueblo, Mexico, Honorary Degree - Architecture/Urban Design, 1998
• Harvard University Graduate School of Design, MLA, 1969
• Michigan State University, BSLA, 1964

Years in the profession: 40

ASLA chapter: Georgia

Category: Works of Landscape Architecture

Most notable professional accomplishments: As Principal-in-Charge of Laubmann-Reed & Associates, Inc., Bill acquired and led the firm in the completion of projects in twenty-six states and thirty-three countries. Along with his partner Ben Reed, Bill was among the few landscape architects to enter the new emerging markets in the Mid East, China, Europe, and South and Central America during the 1970's. LRA's diversity of projects includes planning and designing parks, military communities, destination resorts, corporate campuses, industrial parks, educational facilities and mixed-use projects. Bill's guidance, strong design and planning skills, and love of the profession contribute to the firm's recognition as a landmark firm for thirty-four years. Bill's internal promise to design the best product possible and his innovative designs have stimulated social awareness of the artistic potential of a site. The firm has received twenty-six national and international design awards. The projects below highlight his major accomplishments in the breath, scope and diversity.

Berenice Red Sea Destination Resort and New City Planning Document, Red Sea, Egypt (1996)
Bill and the firm's Associate, Lowell Savage, in collaboration with Jose Luis Ezquerra, Architect, planned the ?EUR??,,????'??New City of Berenice.?EUR??,,????'?? Berenice, a twenty-five mile peninsula, is a historic environment encompassing the ancient ruins of the Ptoloemaic City, founded in 275 BC. The master plan includes four major resort nodes. Facilities include a support city, airport upgrade, multiple hotels (10,000 rooms), three golf courses, three marinas, 5,000 condominiums and private villas, commercial centers, two equestrian centers, health spa, a national desert wilderness park, reef park and other facilities. The firm, under the direction of Bill and assisted by Lowell Savage, was responsible for all planning and design, written text, site plan renderings, consultants coordination and presentations to public officials.
Importance: Foreign and local developers exerted pressure to maximize development, which could adversely impact the sites' sensitive environments and its intrinsic character. Lowell's influence as a land planner and Bill's influence as landscape architect instrumentally changed this attitude. Egyptian Tourist Development Authority regards it as an excellent example to diversify tourism in southern Egypt and create a new southern gateway city for Egypt, economically benefiting the country.
Winner: Honor Award GA/ASLA, 1996.
Role: Principal in Charge/Lead Designer.

Piedmont Park Master Plan - Atlanta, Georgia (1982)
Piedmont Park located two miles from the central business district, is the most unique and culturally significant open space within the city's park system. It was the site of the Piedmont Exposition in 1887 and the Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895. The Olmsted Brothers, sons of Fredrick Law Olmsted prepared the original master plan in 1912, transforming the decaying fairgrounds into a park. Due to lack of funding and overuse, seventy years later the park was in dire need of renovation. In 1982 the Atlanta Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs selected Laubmann-Reed & Associates to prepare a master plan restoration. Bill led the firm in the creation of the master plan document. The document detailed the park history and program, and analyzed facilities and regional aspects such as zoning and land use. The resource analysis delineated and defined physical characteristics, visual profiles, and function use areas. Bill directed over forty meetings with special interest groups and neighborhood organizations.
Importance: 1st Master Plan restoration since Olmsted Brother's 1912 original. As a result of the influential recommendations, a broad range of changes occurred including closure of the golf course, freeing up 70 acres of green space on what is now Oak Hill and the Meadow. Vehicular traffic was eliminated within the park, halting cut-through traffic and promoting a safer pedestrian oriented park. Bill, as founding member, helped establish Friends of Piedmont Park, which raised funds for future park improvements. Friends of Piedmont Park also created strong public-private partnerships to rehabilitate and maintain the park. The recommendations and preservation guidelines in this document are still being implemented today including most recently the renovation of Oak Hill and Lake Clara Meer and the reconstruction of the Meadow.
Winner: Merit Award GA/ASLA, 1984.
Recognition: ?EUR??,,????'??Certificate of Appreciation?EUR??,,????'??, Park Pride Atlanta, 1987.
Role: Principal in Charge/Lead Designer.

Piedmont Park Magnolia Hall, Multi-use Complex - Atlanta, Georgia (1996)
Due to the master plan accomplishments, Laubmann-Reed & Associates prepared construction documents, which detailed rehabilitation of the former City of Atlanta's maintenance building, 1945 blacksmith's forge, and grounds into a multi-use complex and courtyard. Bill, as Principal in Charge, along with the firm's Associate, Susan Cita, led the firm in its detail site design process. The design integrated the hardscape with the historic buildings and aesthetically solved elevation changes with elegant granite retaining walls and cheek walls/steps mimicking the 1895 granite balustrades scattered around the park. A six-sense garden was created to accent the courtyard for functions such as weddings.
Importance: The complex provides a visible location for the Piedmont Park Conservancy's administration offices, an advisory group modeled after New York's Central Park Conservancy. An event facility building and prefunction courtyard helps generate capital funds for restoration and preservation efforts.
Winner: Piedmont Park Multi-Use Complex, ?EUR??,,????'??Design Award of Merit?EUR??,,????'?? AIA Sustainable Design Award, 1996.
Recognition: ?EUR??,,????'??Contribution to a Better Environment for the City of Atlanta?EUR??,,????'??, Park Pride Atlanta, 1991.
Role: Principal in Charge.

Landscape Master Plan, Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA (1980)
Under Bill's and his partner, Ben Reed's, direction, the firm completed numerous projects over a six-year period such as the Outdoor Recreation Plan. The Outdoor Recreation Plan provided a rational, practical, low maintenance guide for establishing recreation opportunities in the undeveloped areas of the base.
Importance: The project became the catalyst for the development of Base Exterior Architectural Plans and site development standards for the US Navy.
Winner: Merit Award GA/ASLA, 1980.
Role: Lead Designer

US Military Installation Design Guidelines (IDGs) throughout the United States and Europe (1980-2003)
Bill, as lead designer, Ben, as principal in charge, and Chris Barton, as project manager, created (26) twenty-six IDGs for military installations worldwide. The IDG's primary objective included the enhancement the military families and single-soldiers' living conditions and environment.
Importance: The firm's comprehensive design and planning approach to the IDGs was adapted as the standard for all IDGs that followed. The firm is recognized as a national expert in this area.
Winner: Merit Award National ASLA, three Honor Awards GA/ASLA and three Merit Awards GA/ASLA.
Recognition: ?EUR??,,????'???EUR??,,????'???I commend you for the excellent planning service you rendered in preparing the Installation Design Guides for Forts Benning and Gordon, Georgia and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. It is my pleasure to inform you that your firm has been awarded an ?EUR??,,????'??outstanding?EUR??,,????'?? rating for your services under the subject contract. We are very much aware of the effort required to produce such a high quality work in a timely manner.?EUR??,,????'?? H. L. Hellerstedt, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army/US Army COE, Savannah, GA
Role: Lead designer

The Chattahoochee River Corridor Study, Georgia (1971)
The firm's Associates, Randy Roark and Doug Allen, and Bill, as Principal in Charge, led the firm in this study of a forty-eight mile, 2,000-foot wide stretch of river and adjacent land. The study provided a policy direction for the solution of common problems through short and long-range comprehensive resource planning. The plan's goals included preservation of water and water quality; protection of scenic and historic areas; protection of landowners' private property rights; controlled public access and recreational use; and location and design of land uses. The plan's purpose was to minimize the adverse impact of urban development on the river and adjacent lands.
Importance: 1st Chattahoochee River study of its kind produced for the Atlanta Regional Commission. The study resulted in a 50-foot natural buffer zone and a 100-foot non-structures/impervious surface zone. It recommended acquisition of public land for green space and parks resulting in a Chattahoochee River National Park, managed by the US Park Service.
Winner: Merit Award GA/ASLA, 1971.
Recognition: Jimmy Carter, Georgia's Governor at the time, was impressed with Bill's efforts and the profession. Carter recommended his son speak to Bill about pursuing an education in landscape architecture at Harvard University GSD.
Role: Principal in Charge/Lead Designer.

Bill has practiced landscape architecture for 40 years, devoting his time not only to the design aspect of the profession, but also to mentoring his staff and others who have sought his guidance. Bill and his partner often hired high school students in the summer who desired to learn about the profession and perhaps pursue it as a career, including his daughter who practices landscape design and his son who is an architect. Through serving as a former Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia and a design critic at local universities, Bill has encouraged creativity in the design process. He has inadvertently inspired staff members into opening their own companies. Many of those mentored by Bill have been elected to the ASLA Council of Fellows. By immersing himself in public service positions from neighborhood planning and park revitalization advocacy groups, Bill has promoted the profession and shared his knowledge and expertise. Bill's charismatic personality has contributed to his success in building long-lasting relationships with his clients and colleagues. Bill's design and planning ability, mentoring of young professionals and professional devotion signify his election to the ASLA Council of Fellows.

Thoughts on being elected to Council of Fellows: I feel honored and I look forward to being of service to the society.