The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recently completed a major overhaul of their headquarters, The Center for Landscape Architecture.

As the project’s landscape architect, OvS was honored to be asked to help its own society revitalize their base of operations.

Located in the historic Chinatown neighborhood, the renovation is aimed at both environmental sustainability and the health of the building’s occupants. The facility is currently pursuing LEED-Platinum and WELL Silver certification.

OvS implemented a new system of stormwater detention and re-use, a process that conserves water and reduces runoff, the leading cause of stream impairment. The firm reimagined the plant palette for the facility’s green roof, garden level, and canopy, selecting optimal species for each of the micro-climates in which they are planted. Working in collaboration with Gensler, the project’s architect, OvS selected materials that look ‘honest and natural’ and whose harvest would minimize disruption and harm of sensitive ecologies.

In addition to its headquarters, the ASLA Center for Landscape Architecture offers state-of-the-art meeting, reception, and exhibition space, which is available to rent by organizations whose missions “are complimentary to those of ASLA and the profession of landscape architecture.”