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Global Reach, Village Comfort; Profile: Joseph Lalli, FASLA, President and Managing Principal of EDSA06-01-09 | News

Global Reach, Village Comfort
Profile: Joseph Lalli, FASLA, President and Managing Principal of EDSA

Interview by Leslie McGuire, managing editor

Winner of hundreds of awards for dozens of projects, Joseph Lalli, FASLA, joined EDSA in 1968. Over the years, many projects under his leadership have been recognized by the ASLA National and Florida Chapter, ULI, ARDA and the American Association of Nurserymen including this one?EUR??,,????'?????<
Images courtesy of EDSA

No matter where he goes?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Lalli just returned from China where the firm has several projects being built. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Received as a Fellow in the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999, Lalli holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Cornell University. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Even while he was at the University of Michigan, he worked in the summers in an architecture firm in upstate New York, a 50-person firm specializing in educational facilities. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The first work in China began around the year 2000. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

After he graduated, the firm wanted him to come back, but Lalli decided that was not a good idea. They were an architecture firm, but he wanted to learn more about landscape architecture. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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However, after a short stint teaching, Lalli came back to Florida and started working again with EDSA. He was sent on several different assignments. First, it was to North Carolina working in the field on a job for a few months. Soon he was traveling back and forth to New York, working with Edward Durell Stone in the New York office. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Lalli was then asked to go to Greenville South Carolina and open a new office. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The 112-acre Pepsico corporate campus in Purchase, New York blends the natural beauty of the site with the major building complex. It also features a lake, pools, fountains, and The Donald M. Kendall sculpture garden. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

When Lalli came back to Florida, the United States going through a recession. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

In mid 1980s, Lalli started doing a lot of work in Puerto Rico with the El San Juan Hotel, plus El Conquistador and revitalized both those old hotels. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

After he?EUR??,,????'?????<

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He continues, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

I always tell that to university administrators,?EUR??,,????'?????<

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In mid-1980s, Lalli started doing a lot of work in Puerto Rico with the El San Juan Hotel, plus El Conquistador (above) and revitalized both those old hotels. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Making Yet Another Leap

Another major milestone was about 15 years ago. Lalli was asked to be Managing Principal and the President of EDSA. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Lalli just got back from Beijing last week. The firm has several projects being built and a great deal of urban work. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

As for why Lalli thinks firms in other countries come to United States firms for development, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Las Casitas project (above), winner of ASLA/ Florida Chapter award, 1997) is another example of a strong village style applied to a resort venue?EUR??,,????'?????<

Again, EDSA tries to make a place feel comfortable. But that, it appears, requires a lot of travel.

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He continues, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Four Seasons Garden in China is a 40.5-hectare themed garden integrated with luxury housing and retail. The garden will feature exhibits on related scientific research and education, and is divided into three themed areas highlighting each season. Lalli notes, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Basic Requirement is Art

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Unfortunately, the woman who organized the workshop was no longer able to continue it. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Lalli and his wife hold the watercolor workshop every summer now. He says, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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And it Still Keeps Getting Better

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Says Lalli, ?EUR??,,????'?????<

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A Little Luck and a Lot of Talent

Although, clearly there is more to Lalli?EUR??,,????'?????<

Able to integrate into other cultures and inspire trust, Joe has become a leader in international design. Artistic pursuits in painting allow him to communicate passion, ideas and concepts in a remarkably visual way. ?EUR??,,????'?????<

And When All is Said and Done?EUR??,,????'?????<

Whether sketched on canvas or drawn on paper, Joe Lalli consistently converts magnificent works of art into reality.

Joe Lalli, the Artist

Not only is Joe Lalli a comfortable world traveler, he is also a painter. Oddly enough, before the development and general use of the camera, itinerate painters traveled from town to town, never stopping anywhere for very long, as they plied their trade. Sound familiar?

Images courtesy of Joseph Lalli, FASLA ?EUR??,,????'?????< www.landscapeonline.com/Art-Gallery/book2-Lalli/book1.html

Hill town in Abruzzi

Maine Lighthouse Keeper's House

Everglades Blooming

At the Dock

Cypress Alley