Regional Director John Payne as Panel Speaker at WASLA Conference
John Payne, PLA, ISA, Regional Director, was a panel speaker at the 2019 Annual WASLA Conference
on March 22, 2019. 
The panel discussion for WASLA was:
“Design Build and the Landscape Architect: How alternative project delivery methods are changing the role of the landscape architect in the Designer, Contractor, Owner relationship.”
John’s presentation focused on the transition from a Design-Bid-Build to Design Build is changing the traditional relationship between designers, contractors, and owners. Increasingly projects of all types and scales are turning to alternative delivery methods to reduce liability, build faster, and control costs more effectively. In looking forward, he emphasized how important it is to recognize that as Design Build becomes more prominent in our industry, the landscape architect is forced to adapt as roles change, design priorities shift, and the design process transforms.
Other panel speakers included, Dorothy Faris, Brian Aske, and Vinita Sidhu.
SiteWorks Founding Partner Annette Wilkus, FASLA presented at New Jersey ASLA’s 2018 annual conference in February. The topic of her presentation was “Bridging the Divide between Rendering and Reality”. Expanding on our successful ASLA national presentation – Inside the LA Studio-Annette spoke to how “We Have to Think Differently” when it comes to the delivery of the project and continued stewardship after the construction is complete. As a profession we often focus on the design and the associated renderings to sell the project many times missing the importance of cost modeling, peer reviews, maintenance manuals and construction administration as key elements to the success of the project. Speaking to “ice berg theory” – or “a lot more happens to achieve what you see” theory, Annette expanded on the need for communication early and often with the client, supporting design professions, construction managers, contractors and the maintenance crew. Additionally, understanding how the design will be constructed is a critical portion of the design process. Understanding access to the site, seasonality and how it applies to soil installation and planting seasons is critical to the success of the project.
Annette and Andrew were featured at a special session at the ASLA National meeting in Los Angles in October entitled “In the Studio with SiteWorks”. The event was hosted by Laura Solano, principal at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. Annette and Andrew discuss the history and philosophy of the firm as a specialty landscape architectural practice focused on design implementation, cost planning, pre-construction services and stewardship strategies. Their talk emphasized how the profession needs to think more broadly about how projects are conceived and executed to deliver higher performing landscapes over the long-term.
Joining her on the panel was Molly Burne from MNLA, Lisa Tziona Switkin from James Corner Field Operations, Donna Walcavage from Stantec and Moderator Susan Chin from the Design Trust for Public Space.
headquarters, creating a global center for philanthropy and civil society. As part of the project, the atrium plantings and fountain will be fully restored to the spirit of the original Dan Kiley design, an innovative atrium public space designed in 1964.
At the ASLANY 2016 Design Awards, SiteWorks received a Merit Award for Collaborative Design for P.S. 111M, New York, NY: Run On, Run Off; A Green Infrastructure Playground and Community Park. The project needed a versatile, multi-purpose green infrastructure system capable of managing and infiltrating a five year storm event, while simultaneously providing an inclusive and durable playground for students and the neighborhood as well. The three month participatory design curriculum, a collaborative effort between SiteWorks, the Trust for Public Land and approximately one hundred dedicated and insightful students.
