The Landscape Architecture Foundation recently announced the faculty-student research teams who will work with designers to document the impacts of high-performing landscape projects. Teams develop methods to quantify the environmental, social, and economic benefits of built projects and produce Case Study Briefs for LAF's Landscape Performance Series.

Research Fellows lead the CSI collaboration and receive funding from LAF to support a student research assistant. The academic teams then work with liaisons from design firms to evaluate and document each project. LAF also provides training, supporting materials, and feedback throughout the process.

According to LAF, among the selected projects for the new year's program are "several that incorporate significant diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and address pressing challenges associated with climate change."

The 2020 CSI program runs from February early August. Following are descriptions of the selected projects:

Arizona State University
+ Colwell Shelor Landscape Architecture
CSI Research Fellow: Chingwen Cheng, PhD, ASLA, PLA, LEED AP
Student Research Assistant: Amanda Trakas
Project: Arizona State University Orange Mall Green Infrastructure Project, Phase 1, Tempe, Arizona

Auburn University
+ Nelson Byrd Woltz
CSI Research Fellow: C. Thomas Hogge, PLA, ASLA, CLARB
Student Research Assistant: Luis Jose Loaiza Pinto

 
Project: Duke University Water Reclamation Pond, Durham, North Carolina

George Mason University
+ LandDesign
CSI Research Fellow: Cynthia B. Smith, PhD
Student Research Assistant: Kiel Stone
Project: Potomac Science Center, Woodbridge, Virginia
Kansas State University
+ Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company
CSI Research Fellow: Lee R. Skabelund, BLA, MLA, PLA, ASLA
Student Research Assistant: Lekhon Alam
Project: Kansas State University Memorial Stadium Green Roofs, Manhattan, Kansas

Louisiana State University
CSI Research Fellow: Lake Douglas, PhD, FASLA
Student Research Assistant: Hayden M. Hammons
+ Dana Brown & Associates
Project: Dillard University East Campus, New Orleans
+ Design Workshop
Project: Lafitte Greenway, New Orleans,

University of New South Wales
CSI Research Fellows: Catherine Evans; Linda Corkery, FAILA, ASLA (International); and Sara Padgett Kjaersgaard, RLA, AILA
Student Research Assistants: Lei Zhang and Lisa Thomson
+ Turf Design Studio
Project: Sydney Park Water Re-use Project, Alexandria, Australia
+ Yerrabingin
Project: Yerrabingin Native Rooftop Farm, Sydney, Australia

University of Washington
+ Mithun
CSI Research Fellow: Catherine De Almeida, ASLA
Student Research Assistant: Jennifer Engelke, PLA, ASLA
Project: Liberty Bank Building, Seattle

University of Washington
+ Traction
CSI Research Fellow: Leann Andrews, PhD, RLA
Student Research Assistant: Rebecca Bachman
Project: Fog Water Farm Park and Gardens, Informal Community of Eliseo Collazos, Lima, Peru