Walter Havener, FASLA
Category: Works
Surface 678, Durham, North Carolina

Walter Havener, of Surface 678, received his nomination, in Works, from the North Carolina Chapter. Havener is one of the most influential landscape architects in the Southeast, sought out by top-tier architects who want the very best environmental design. Because he believed landscape architects were not sufficiently appreciated and that the region would greatly benefit from better design he devoted himself to engaging architects, engineers, graphic designers and artists to collaborate on projects that reflect landscape as an integral and critical part of their built context. Significant among his work is the transformation of a prison yard into gorgeously designed gardens at the North Carolina Museum of Art West Gallery and Sculpture Park. His body of transformative landscape design work comprises a diverse collection of ecologically responsive and stunningly crafted projects. Havener's hallmark is contextually sensitive, conceptually based and exquisitely restrained design. He is a pioneer in the practice of integrated and beautifully designed stormwater management across the region and is credited with significantly raising the profile of the profession throughout North Carolina.