This special gift comes from our longstanding supporter, Barkman Concrete Ltd., whose generosity and connection to the department and faculty have endured over time, much like the new chessboard itself will endure! The thoughtful contribution embodies both strength and strategy, qualities we highly value in our students and community.

Students are warmly invited to take a break, challenge a friend, and put their best moves forward. Whether you are a grandmaster in training or just learning how the knight moves, the board is open for all to enjoy during your leisure time.

So next time you are between classes, reach out to the president of the Landscape Architecture Student Association, Sari Halldorson Haines, at halldors@myumanitoba.ca, who manages the free rental service. See if you can outsmart your classmates.

Many thanks again to Barkman Concrete Ltd. for helping to make our program a fun and friendly place for challenges.

Scale is critical for representation and construction because it clarifies perspective and shows relationships among landscape and architectural elements. In today’s digital era, where maps and drawings are frequently created and viewed on screens of varying sizes, scale largely communicates to the Level of Detail (LOD).

Traditionally, LOD focuses on buildings and their geometric details, often overlooking other vital city elements such as trees, streets, water, and terrain. Moreover, most existing LOD frameworks are not data-conscious: they don’t specify which types of data should be associated with each LOD in city modelling. You can also download a series of 3D Rhino conceptual tiles for each geometric LOD from the paper. 

In our latest publication, we propose a new family of LOD that not only extends beyond buildings but also integrates relevant data into each tier of detail. This work is especially meaningful because it marks the very first publication from our research lab. You can also download a series of 3D Rhino conceptual tiles for each geometric LOD from the paper. 

Full publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8945/5/1/1

Professors Dietmar Straub and Anna Thurmayr from the Department of Landscape Architecture designed, planted and maintained the courtyard for several years. This pro bono work has allowed Dietmar and Anna to include applied research in the scope of this project. The non-standard amalgam of materiality, ecology, horticulture, soil science, entomology, and research drive the design’s success. The selection of materials embraces modest and locally available ingredients, which follow an intentional choreography to transform the place into a biodiversity hotspot and Living Lab.

A high-profile international jury of experts recognized the UM Science Courtyard with the prestigious LILA 2024 Jury Award. Furthermore, the Science Courtyard was distinguished with an editor’s choice. “LILA – Landezine International Landscape Award aims to recognize the most interesting and progressive practices from the field of landscape architecture. … The aim of the award is to recognize interesting landscape architects and their projects from all over the world.” (retrieved from LILA website). This year, LILA received 300 entries from all over the world, six of them have been awarded.

The formerly hidden courtyard transformed into the newest central gathering place of the Faculty of Science. Framed by lecture and laboratory buildings, the courtyard extends the existing student lounge and coffee shop and connects the hustle of the academic world with the lovely scenery of a picturesque group of mature trees and the mighty Red River.

The project is the outcome of a close collaboration between the Faculty of Science with Dietmar and Anna from the Faculty of Architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture for several years.

“Science Courtyard finds an outstanding way to introduce a small-scale layer to a previously unexceptional campus landscape. It introduces a masterfully articulated gradient in the material palette and plant species. It contributes to biodiversity and invites processes of growth and spontaneous change, all spiced with creatively designed elements, such as a seating area made of logs and play of mineral pavement, topography, planting, etc. The project reveals and brings into focus the processual nature of the landscape and favours a more relaxed and experimental approach to design. The garden is also a landscape laboratory for the designers as they intend to monitor and learn from it” – from the award statements.

The courtyard also makes waves in Winnipeg. Dietmar and Anna were interviewed by Colleen Zacharias, Gardening Columnist Winnipeg Free Press. Colleen transformed the interview into an article: U of M courtyard receives prestigious award. New garden project cultivates unexpected beauty, learning, and craftsmanship. Winnipeg Free Press, August 10^th, 2024. Inspired by Colleen’s article the new habitat does not only attracts pollinators but many curious gardeners and inquisitive visitors from outside of campus.

For more information:
https://landezine-award.com/science-courtyard/
https://homes.winnipegfreepress.com/winnipeg-real-estate-articles/renovation-design/U-of-M-courtyard-receives-prestigious-award/id-8625

Project Collaborators
PROJECT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS
Straub Thurmayr Landscape Architects and Urban Designers

Prof. Dietmar Straub, Prof. Anna Thurmayr,
Faculty of Architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture
University of Manitoba

CONTRACTOR
Johannes Zinn, Konrad Zinn
J&K Zinn Landscape Contractors
Box 45, Starbuck, MB

CLIENT
Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba
Krystyna Koczanski
Associate Dean, Administration
Trevor Schultz, Business Manager
Seema Goel, Program Outreach and STEAM Coordinator

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Javier Uribe, Vanessa Jukes
Architectural & Engineering Services
Physical Plant, Fort Garry Campus, University of Manitoba

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OF RECORD
David Wagner Associates Inc.
317 Laidlaw Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB

In the June 2024 issue of Canadian Architect magazine, Ron Williams examined the book and stated that this publication “is a beautiful and fascinating volume, and a pleasure to read.” 

To read the full review visit Canadian Architect.  To purchase a copy of the publication visit Indigo.

“Now is the time to protect Winnipeggers’ rivers in perpetuity,” said committee member Jean Trottier. “Look forward 50 years and imagine what the rest of the places around us, up and down the rivers, could look like with a little care and determination.”

Trottier, an associate professor of landscape architecture at the University of Manitoba, said the project would take decades, but the wait is worth the environmental rewards.

To read the full story, please visit Winnipeg Free Press. 

The students portrayed large-scale terrains, their history, hydrology, ecology and cultural context. They built up “pictures” by acquiring knowledge and information about the lost natures of ecologically sensitive landscapes in Winnipeg and Manitoba. The goal was to create landscape portraits of regional terrains, which allow the identification of patterns and structures by superimposing numerous layers of maps bearing spatial and geographic data representation. The regional study shows where significant interventions in the landscape happened and how the interventions impacted the environment. The visualization is fundamental for developing draft design strategies on a regional scale, and it enables students to formulate essential questions and synchronize them with the available knowledge. Design starts by creating a backdrop for the designer’s imagination.

Shortly before the fall term break in 2022, I received an email from Meg Miller, UofM GIS & Data Visualization Librarian, stating that the deadline for submission to the GIS Days Map Gallery has been extended to November 11^th. Maps needed to have been completed in the last year. Meg mentioned that “it would be pretty cool if we could get University of Manitoba representation in that top 5!” Students from LARC 7340 Design Studio 4 in 2021 and 2022 submitted their work for the GIS Days Map Gallery Awards, which was well worth it.

The GIS days organizers received 28 submissions from grads, post-grads, undergrads, and GIS Professionals. The map gallery winners were chosen based on a people’s choice vote. The participation and success of the University of Manitoba students have been a profound milestone experience with the positive side effect of creating recognition for the Faculty of Architecture and the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Manitoba, both nationally and internationally.

It was a delightfully refreshing and entertaining Friday evening. We gathered in the Court Yard and Centre Space of the Russell Building and hosted a reception, a keynote and other speakers. The series of presenters, including the keynote, connected from various perspectives, to the beginning of the Master of Landscape Architecture program 50 years ago.

Mira (Mimi) Locher, Dean of Architecture, gracefully gave her in-person debut and provided a short overview of the most critical events in the 60ies and 70ies that influenced Canadian design and indirectly prepared the need for a master’s program in landscape architecture at that time.

Tracy Bowman, Director of UM Alumni Relations, emphasized the importance of celebrating achievements by welcoming back alums and former members. Expressing appreciation, she congratulated everyone dedicated to the program on having 440 graduates to date.

Bob Somers, President-Elect of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA), passed greetings from the professional organization and eloquently entertained the audience with stories from the time when he was a student. On behalf of the CSLA, he provided the department with a certificate of recognition for contributing 50 years to landscape architecture.

Meaghan Hunter, President of the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects (MALA), shared the exciting news that the MALA would donate $5,000 towards the MLA 50th Anniversary Scholarship, a new student recruitment scholarship.

Robert (Bob) Allsopp’s keynote presentation addressed the beginning of the Landscape Architecture Program from the perspective of having been appointed Director of Campus Planning with the academic rank of Associate Professor and teaching the first design studio in landscape architecture.

CSLA Certificate of Recognition

Bob stated that at the program’s start, the “AMBITION was for excellence. THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES were minimal. THE STRATEGY was opportunistic – capitalizing on the goodwill of local, national and international talent – subsidizing budgets by drawing from others’ pockets – maximizing opportunities for hands-on field course experiences. THE TARGET was to help students develop design skills that are sensitive to the specifics of Place within a broad perspective of the natural and cultural worlds. THE RESULT in the early years, … was a very rich program that was as much fun and as educational for the (so-called) ‘teachers’ as it was for the students”.

Charles (Charlie) Thomsen, Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture, echoed the keynote’s inspirational report through different stories and shared slides emphasizing the collaborative atmosphere of the early years. “The willingness to collaborate was critical to the department’s success. And the staff was expected to help out with whatever was needed. The human factor was very important, … it was a place we wanted to be.”

Jennifer Moore Rattray, daughter of Alex Rattray, the first department head, provided insights into the family life of Alex Rattray and his dedication to the programs at the Universities of Manitoba and Venice in Italy. She announced the idea of planting a tree on the University of Manitoba campus and having a similar Memorial Tree Planting in Venice sometime next spring.

Alex Boss, LASA president and FASA Chair, voiced the importance of scholarships and the students’ excitement to be part of this anniversary year.

Dietmar Straub, Professor of Landscape Architecture, acted as the evening host and concluded with an entertaining presentation on the Lots of Bulbs project intended to be a catalyst for a pollinators’ party in spring 2023 and a fundraiser for the MLA 50th anniversary student scholarship.

The list of contributors to the success of the evening is long and includes, among many others, the following. Ted McLachlan and Charlie Thomsen (initial discussions and advice); Cynthia Cohlmeyer (keynote host); Alan Tate (graduate list); Charlie Thomsen, Chris Veres, Ryan Wakshinski, and Don Hester (slideshows); Chris Leigh (digitizing slides); Alex Boss, Augusta Ho, Emma Dicks, Kailee Meakin, Nazi Yaghoobian, Tasnim Ferdous (evening support); Anna Thurmayr, Dietmar Straub and Brandy O’Reilly (organization).

The department provided light snacks, and the attendees stayed longer than anticipated, enjoying the mild evening, the various ongoing slide shows, and the countless stories and memories. The video recording of all speeches in full length can be accessed through the following link.

18,500 bulbs of the Master of Landscape Architecture 50th Anniversary bulb mixture were planted from Friday, October 28 to Wednesday, November 2, 2022 – just before the temperatures dropped and snow fell.

The 18,500 bulbs (see plant mixture below) were planted in a circle of 500 square metres south of the Russell Building on the Fort Garry Campus in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The diameter of the circle is 25 metres. It lies within the established prairie grass area in front of the John A. Russell Building. Bulbs are not invasive, and most will disappear after three or five years, eaten away by bunnies and squirrels. The bulbs won’t occupy the grassland; they are just there to feed pollinators and the eyes of the beholders with their beauty in early springtime 2023.

First, the 500 square metres circle was precisely mowed ‘into’ the tall grass prairie with support from Physical Plant. Then, the circle was divided into 48 sections with up to 12.5 square metres in size. Depending on the section size, 300 to 500 bulbs were planted per section. After a brief introduction to bulb planting, bulb spacing, bulb beds and soil coverage, everyone interested was invited to participate.

Sixty-one volunteers (see volunteer list below) were engaged in the community planting. The helpers included students, faculty, staff and friends of the Faculty of Architecture and, unexpectedly, students from Engineering, Agriculture, Environment, Earth, and Resources and other passers-by.

A set of twelve unique planting tools ensured that the soil and the roots of the prairie grasses were treated with great care while being back-friendly. The custom-made tuLIPstick consists of a wooden stick with a metal tip and holds a bracket to step on. tuLIPstick is available in two sizes to accommodate various anthropometric human scales. It was made in-house, in conversation with the Faculty of Architecture’s Workshop coordinator Kellen Deighton and manufactured by his team.

Within six days, hole by hole was punched, and bulb after bulb was planted into Fort Garry Campus soil. Physical Plant donated and delivered the sand. After planting, each hole was filled with an airy mixture of sand and existing soil, and it is hoped that this mix will provide a cozy cushion for the bulbs’ hibernation.

The anniversary community planting was initiated by Dietmar Straub and funded by the Faculty of Architecture’s Endowment Fund. We can’t wait for spring!

Plant Mixture

The Master of Landscape Architecture 50th Anniversary bulb mixture consists of:

3500 Tulip Ballerina
2000 Tulip White Triumphator
1000 Tulip Purple Dream
3500 Allium Purple Sensation
3500 Allium Nigrum
5000 Camassia Quamash

The goal was a well-developed mix of early, mid and late spring blooming species in finely nuanced colours and textures.

Volunteers 

The following participants have been recorded for the Master of Landscape Architecture 50th Anniversary Community Planting / LOTS OF BULBS. A big thank you to each of them!

Faculty of Architecture / Master of Landscape Architecture

Amber Perron
Augusta Ho
Emma Dicks
Gel Ilagan
Jamie Coverini
Kailee Meakin
Kanika Metha
Matthew Glowacki
Nazi Yaghoobian
Nikolas Friesen-Hughes
Simranpreet Kaur
Tasnim Ferdous
Tristan Osler
Yingzhi Jiang

Faculty of Architecture / Master of Architecture

Braden Goodall

Faculty of Architecture / Environmental Design 4:

Arjay Asuncion
Henrik Sjodin (exchange student from SLU – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)
Joseph Coenen (exchange student from TUM – Technical University of Munich)
Vinicius Segato

Faculty of Architecture / Environmental Design 3:

Christina Tran, B.Env.Sc.(Maj.)
Grace O. Olokun-Jaiyesimi
Mia Spletzer-Moffatt
Quirtin Madill
Will Kendrik
Yvette Chirawu, B.Env.St.(Maj.)

Faculty of Architecture / Environmental Design 2:

Alex Vassas
Mia Bakija

University 1:

Abigail Reimer
Adrian Molvizar
Anastasia Zonenberg
Andrei Capucion
Daniel Parcero
Eleni Wall
Francesca Perez
Jamie Chow
Jeremy Reimer
Kenny Wong
Natalie Fournier
Sheena Arana

Faculty of Architecture / Instructor, Librarian, Staff, Alum, and Friends:

Anna Thurmayr
Aynur Omar
Chelsea and Elaina Synychych
Dietmar Straub
Jakob Straub
Justin Chamberlang
Kamni Gill and Lucy
Liv Valmestad
Mark Meagher
Patrick McManus
Sebastian McManus
Simona Pesun
Tyrone Hofer

School of Agriculture:

Andrew Enns
Dayna Wozny

Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources:

Sam Cooper

Price Faculty of Engineering:

Ariana Jimenez

Agribusiness:

Ricardo Herrera

International College of Manitoba:

Natalia Cruz

^1. Borchardt, R. 1992. Der leidenschaftliche Gärtner, Frankfurt am Main: Vito von Eichborn GmbH&Co. Verlag KG (123, translated).

The graduate program in Landscape Architecture at the University of Manitoba was Canada’s first of its kind. It resulted from the vision of the late Dean of Architecture, John A. Russell. Its establishment was facilitated by the appointment of Alexander Rattray as Head of the program in July 1969. The initial three-year graduate course of study was offered through the University’s Natural Resource Institute in 1970. The Master of Landscape Architecture program was formally accepted by the Province of Manitoba in 1972. In the fall of 2022, the MLA program graduated more than 440 students. Students have originated from all regions of Canada and many other countries.

HOMECOMING – HARNESS SYNERGIES

Fall is the time to plant bulbs. A horticultural happening preludes the homecoming event that will take place in the evening of Friday, September 23^rd, during Homecoming Week 2022. The idea is to insert 10,000 bulbs into the grassland in front of the John A. Russell Building. Homecoming guests are invited to get their hands dirty before they start mingling and celebrating. In case guests are afraid of digging in Winnipeg clay, everyone is invited to watch, observe, take pictures, have a conversation, meet old friends or make new connections. After the work is done that day, the bulbs hibernate before they show off next spring. It is anticipated that anybody involved will enthusiastically wait for spring 2023. People will come back full of curiosity and excited expectations; taking pictures, trying to identify ‘their’ bulbs which turned into beautiful flowers, and full of pride to be part of this project. Bumblebees, wild bees, beetles and flies benefit from the early pollens produced by the bulbs. Their party starts in spring 2023.

To stay up-to-date with all 50th Anniversary events visit here: https://umanitoba.ca/architecture/LA50

MAKING FLOWERS MAKING WAVES – TURNING BULBS INTO A STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

The lots of bulbs project is intended to be a catalyst for funding an MLA 50^th Anniversary Student Scholarship. Winters are long in our prairie climate, summers get humid and hot, falls are golden, and springtime always feels too short. An MLA 50^thAnniversary bulb mixture will be created. Colours, textures, and aromas are essential aspects, but the selection of different species may extend the dish for pollinators and the eyes of the beholders after a long winter. Packages of the MLA 50^thAnniversary bulb mixture will be for sale, the flowers can feed pollinators all across Canada and beyond, and the revenue will feed the MLA 50^th Anniversary Students Scholarship.

Bulb Order Form

Update your contact information, and you will be kept in the loop about the MLA 50th Anniversary program and the best time to order your bulbs.

https://umanitoba.ca/community/alumni/alumni-update-your-contact-information

Text was previously published in:  Landscapes Paysages, Landscape Architecture in Canada, L’Architecture de Paysage au Canada, 24(2), 17.

Thank you to everyone involved in the preparation of the self-evaluation report and/or meeting with the review team in May. Your feedback and support were extremely important for the outcome of this effort.