Sasaki, Watertown, MA
Michael Grove began his career at Sasaki in 1998 where he became the youngest partner in the firm's history, and he now serves as Sasaki's Chair of Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Ecology. He was instrumental in expanding the firm's global presence and has concentrated his career in Asia where he works to position landscape architects to provide significant input into policy decisions and regulatory processes in what he refers to as "upstream urbanism." Michael has led projects in fifteen countries, often introducing private clients and government agencies for the first time to the valuable perspective and proficiency of landscape architecture. One of the most notable projects is the 798 Arts District in Beijing, which evolved from a small community of squatters using abandoned factories as studio space into one of the most influential arts districts in the world. Other award-winning projects include Jiading Park, Zhangjiabang Park, and Sunqiao Urban Agriculture District, Shanghai. Michael leads by example, championing diversity and inclusion efforts on the national stage, and mentoring the profession's next generation of leaders.