LAF put out this statement:

 

Across practice and academia, Johnson maintained a relentless commitment to environmental consciousness and innovative planning. His work focused on campus, urban design, and parks and recreation. Shortly after co-founding JJR, Johnson was commissioned to draft the University of Michigan's master plan, which helped establish the firm and led to work throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

Johnson was also a professor of landscape architecture for 30 years and Dean of the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources for 8 years. He became Professor Emeritus in 1988. While earning his MLA at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he learned from and worked for Hideo Sasaki, to whom Johnson credits his philosophy that "there are no limits of scale." Johnson's projects and professional leadership reflect his sense of expansive problem-solving and serve as a testament to his legacy.

LAF proudly recognizes Bill's distinguished career, design philosophy, and commitment to education with the award of the 2020 LAF Medal.