Steven Tupu confirmed for 2021 NZILA Firth Conference
Steven Tupu is the founding principal of Terrain, an award-winning landscape architecture office based in New York.
Originally from Wellington, he received his Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture with Honours from RMIT University in Melbourne in 1993. After completing his studies, he moved to the United States, working for Weintraub + diDomenico and Thomas Balsley Associates.
In 1999 he was awarded First Prize in the International Design Competition for the East River organised by the Van Alen Institute in NYC. Steven launched Terrain in 2004.
His NZILA Firth Conference presentation in Tauranga next May will focus on Collaboration and Partnership: What strategies reorientate practices towards the creation of reconstituted and collaborative fields?
He’ll share recent case studies with a focus on the creative power of collaborative teaming that results in site-specific design strategies for projects with limited resources, and discuss the consideration of unique programmatic needs of diverse resident populations and how these needs inform Accessible Design for all.
LAA put some questions to him.
LAA: How has this year influenced the way you think about landscape architecture?
ST: My experience this year has pushed me to re-think everything … including landscape architecture
Quality of life decisions
How we work / collaborate
What we work on
LAA: What are the shifting demands of the profession in relation to climate change?
ST: Everything we do as Landscape Architects can have an impact on how we adapt to climate change
LAA: What makes an effective landscape architect?
ST: Being a good listener; Creative collaborator; Aspirational leadership
LAA: How important collaboration between different practitioners and disciplines?
ST: Collaboration is key to finding creative solutions to complex challenges
LAA: How does it enhance a project?
ST: Fosters creative collaborations / unexpected outcomes
LAA: What will your key message at the NZILA conference be?
ST: Finding opportunities to create Landscapes of Equity.